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Rajat Patidar is the frontrunner to be RCB’s captain in IPL 2025, as Virat Kohli is unlikely to return. Krunal Pandya is also in the running.
Rajat Patidar (L) and Virat Kohli.
Madhya Pradesh batter Rajat Patidar is reportedly the ‘frontrunner’ to be Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)’s captain in IPL 2025 as Virat Kohli now looks unlikely to take up the job.
According to The Times of India, RCB’s strategy for the IPL 2025 auction was centered around the belief that Kohli would return as the captain of the team for the first time since resigning in 2021.
However, the report added that the team has recently had to pivot their thinking after getting ‘strong indications’ from Kohli and had discussions with ‘senior India players in the RCB camp’, which has resulted in Patidar emerging as a serious second choice. Former Mumbai Indians all-rounder Krunal Pandya is also in the running. The report said mentor Dinesh Karthik has played a key role in this search.
RCB seems set to announce their captain on Thursday (February 13) having sent an online event invite to media about a ‘special event’ for 11:30 am. Many high-profile members of the staff, including director Mo Bobat, head coach Andy Flower and Karthik are expected to be present.
RCB released their skipper Faf du Plessis, who didn’t show any desire to aggressively try to obtain one of the many established captaincy options available in the auction, like Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, among others.
Patidar and Pandya lead Madhya Pradesh and Baroda in domestic cricket respectively. Patidar, who RCB retained for Rs. 11 crore, took Madhya Pradesh to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final and top-scored in a losing cause in the summit clash.
RCB signed Pandya for Rs. 5.75 crore in the auction and apart from a few controversial moments, he has led Baroda admirably, making them punch above their weight more often than not.
As players, Patidar is already a mainstay in the RCB middle-order
‘That’s what I am there for’: Patidar when asked about RCB captaincy in 2024
Patidar was asked about RCB captaincy during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in December 2024 and he had said he’d be ‘happy’ to take up the job.
“Of course, if I get an opportunity to lead RCB, that is what I am there for, and I will be happy. But it all depends on the franchise.”
The season is likely to begin in the third week of March.
