Indian cricketer Rajat Patidar will take over as the captain of RCB in the IPL 2025 season, which commences on March 21, 2024.
RCB announced this at a function in Bengaluru on Thursday, attended by Patidar, cricket director Mo Bobat, and head coach Andy Flower.
Patidar comes in place of erstwhile South African cricketer Faf du Plessis, team captain between 2022-2024, but let go of in the mega IPL auction last year.
The right-hand batter was one of the three players the franchise retained alongside India's former captain Virat Kohli and speedster Yash Dayal.Patidar will captain for the first time in the IPL, even though he has captained Madhya Pradesh throughout the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20) and Vijay Hazare Trophy (50-over) campaigns.
Having signed up for RCB in 2021, the 31-year-old has spent three years at the side and has become one cog that cannot be dropped. He scored 799 runs at a strike rate of 158.85 during his 28 new appearances.
Patidar received a clap from Virat Kohli, who welcomed him with these lines:
"Rajat, congratulation and best of luck to you first of all. The way you've grown up within this franchise and the way you've played, you have in fact captured the hearts of RCB people throughout India. They only want to see you play, and this challenge is yours to claim. I would like to say very straightaway that I, together with all others on the team, will stand behind you and will give you our full support when you take up this challenge.".
"It's an enormous responsibility—I've done it for a long time, and Faf's taken the side absolutely brilliantly well over the last two or three years. Being trusted with the responsibility of driving this franchise forward is such an incredible privilege, and I'm just so chuffed for you. You've worked for your place here, and I have no doubt whatsoever that you'll just go from strength to strength."
Patidar was Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy's second-top run-getter, who managed to achieve 428 runs in nine matches with an average of 61.14 and eye-popping strike rate of 186.08. Patidar played for Vijay Hazare Trophy's average and strike rate of 56.50 and 107.10 respectively, achieving 226 runs.
Calling development of Patidar disappointing, Kohli also commented:
"I have seen Rajat improve leaps and bounds in the past two years. He has played for India and his cricket has reached new heights. The way he has led his state team and taken on the challenge is evidence enough that he can captain this great franchise.".
"I am asking all the RCB fans to support him, stand behind him, and believe he will always work towards the team. Whatever individuals' performances might be, franchise and the team are of the topmost importance. We all work duty bound so as to put this outstanding team through. Good luck in the new season and looking forward to meeting you all soon as Rajat kicks off the season in a blast."
Even though they played the last three times, RCB never won an IPL title, the previous being in 2016. RCB were consistent in recent years, making it to the play-offs four of the past five seasons. They topped the top-four at the conclusion of the IPL 2024, winning their last six league matches, but lost in the eliminator.
With Patidar's selection, the other two franchises Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals are now left with the selection of their captains for next year.
Shreyas Iyer, former KKR captain, has been selected as Punjab Kings' captain for next year, while Rishabh Pant, former Delhi Capitals captain, has been selected as Lucknow Super Giants' captain.
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