IPL 2025: Was it a battle between Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar to become RCB captain

The announcement of Rajat Patidar as the new captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for IPL 2025 has created quite a stir, especially with the speculation surrounding Virat Kohli’s leadership role. Following the release of Faf du Plessis, fans and experts were left guessing whether Kohli, one of the franchise's most iconic figures, would once again take charge. However, RCB ended all doubts on February 13 when they officially named Patidar as the new captain. The decision raised eyebrows, as RCB has several big names in the squad, including Liam Livingstone, Krunal Pandya, and Phil Salt, all of whom were seen as potential leaders. Many expected Kohli, given his experience and leadership credentials, to reclaim the captaincy, but the franchise opted for a change.

RCB’s head coach, Andy Flower, addressed the decision, explaining the contrasting leadership styles of Kohli and Patidar. Flower praised Kohli for his passionate and aggressive approach to captaincy but emphasized that Patidar brought a different energy to the table. Patidar, who has shown consistent performances for RCB, including crucial match-winning knocks, was seen as someone who could bring fresh leadership to the team. Flower further elaborated that the choice was based on what was best for the team's long-term vision, aiming for a balance between experience and new leadership qualities.

“There are different ways to skin a cat. There is no single way to lead, and my job as coach is to mould myself based on the captain I am working with. Virat's energy, motivation, and drive is special to have in a 36-year-old. It's great role-modelling for the younger players, Indian and overseas. He has a great cricket mind, and the skipper's responsibility is to listen, assess, and make his own decision. Rajat is absolutely capable of this," stated RCB head coach Andy Flower. 

Rajat Patidar may not have had the same international cricket exposure as some of his predecessors in the Royal Challengers Bangalore captaincy role, but his consistent performances for the franchise have earned him the trust of the team management. Notably, Patidar led Madhya Pradesh to the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) in the 2024-25 season, showcasing his leadership abilities in domestic cricket.

After being appointed as RCB's captain for IPL 2025, the 31-year-old Patidar shared his thoughts on how he came to know that he was being considered for the role. He revealed that he was among the candidates discussed by the franchise management, alongside Virat Kohli. Patidar admitted that it was a proud moment for him to be considered for such a significant responsibility, especially given the presence of big names like Kohli within the team. While Patidar’s leadership experience may be limited to domestic cricket, his performances and ability to handle pressure have made him a standout choice for RCB. The announcement marks a new chapter for the franchise as they look forward to a fresh era under Patidar's captaincy.

“Last year Mo Bobat asked me if I am interested in captaining RCB. From there I got a hint of getting RCB captaincy. I got this info of either Virat or I will be the captain, so I was immensely happy,” said the newly appointed RCB captain Rajat Patidar.