India Batter Rajat Patidar has been appointed captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the upcoming IPL 2025, from March 21. RCB made this announcement on Thursday at an event in Bengaluru, with Patidar, director of Cricket Mo Bobat and head coach Andy Flower. Patidar will replace the former South African Slagman Faf du Plessis, who was heading for the side of 2022 to 2024, but was not retained in last year's IPL Mega Auction.
The right-handed was one of the three players who were retained by the franchise, together with former India captain Virat Kohli and Pacer Yash Dayal. It will be his first leading role in the IPL, while at a domestic level he supplied his state of Madhya Pradesh in the seasons of 2024-25 of the 20-over Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy.
The 31-year-old has played for three seasons for the franchise since he came to RCB in 2021 and has become a vital player in front of the side. He scored 799 points in 28 games with a success rate of 158.85.
At the appointment of Patidar as RCB, Kohli congratulated him and said: “Rajat, first of all I want to congratulate you and wish you the very best. I want to tell you that the way you have grown in this franchise and the way you performed, You really made a place in the hearts of RCB throughout India.
Patidar was the second highest Run scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, with 428 points in nine innings with an impressive average of 61.14 and a success rate of 186.08. In the Vijay Hazare -Trophy he scored 226 points, with an average of 56.50 and a success rate of 107.10.
Although it is three times finalists, RCB still has to win the IPL title, with their last performance in the final in 2016. They have reached the play -offs in four of the last five seasons, including in 2024, when they have a place In the top four by winning their last six league games, only to lose in the eliminator.
With the appointment of Patidar, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals remain the only teams that still announce their captains for the coming season.
SHREYAS IYER, who was captain KKR last year, will now lead Punjab Kings, while former DC captain Rishabh Pant Captain Luckknow Super Giants will be.
(This story was not edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)
Topics mentioned in this article
