Virat Kohli Snubbed, Rajat Patidar Appointed As RCB Captain Ahead Of IPL 2025

In a massive development ahead of the Indian Premier League edition of IPL 2025, batter Rajat Patidar has been appointed as the skipper of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The right-handed batter has been given the captaincy ahead of Virat Kohli, who was also one of the leading contenders to lead the franchise.

Kohli had succeeded Daniel Vettori as the skipper of the franchise ahead of the 2013 edition and remained in the role until 2021; however, he failed tp script a title win for the side. The right-handed batter, who has played for the Bengaluru-based franchise since the inaugural season of the lucrative T20 league, has led them in 143 matches, winning 66 of them. As captain, he also finished as the highest run-getter in the 2016 season when RCB made it to the finals, aggregating a staggering 973 runs with four centuries.

Patidar, meanwhile, joined RCB in IPL 2021, and has scored 799 runs in 27 games, including a century which came during the playoff clash against the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2022.

"This is really well deserved" - Virat Kohli

In a video shared by the franchise's official social media handle, it was the 36-year-old, who announced Patidar as RCB's captain and believes his growth with the franchise has been one to watch out for. He stated:

"I'm here to inform everyone that Rajat Patidar is going to be the new captain of RCB. Rajat firstly I want to congratulate you and wish you all the best and tell you that the way you have grown in this franchise and the way you have performed you have really made a place in the hearts of all the fans of RCB all over India and they are really excited to watch you play. This is really well deserved and to tell you that myself and the team members will be right behind you."