Rajat Patidar has been appointed captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for IPL 2025, which begins on March 21. The development was contrary to wide speculation that Virat Kohli would lead RCB again after they did not retain Faf du Plessis,

Patidar, 31, has played for RCB for three seasons. He has played three Tests and one one-day international for India. He also captains his state Madhya Pradesh in white-ball cricket but has not previously taken charge in the IPL.

Rajat Patidar was named as the new Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain for this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) on Thursday, succeeding South African Faf du Plessis in the role. Speculation was rife that former India captain Virat Kohli would return as the captain of the side he led from 2013-21 before du Plessis took over.

Rajat Patidar has been appointed as the new captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The announcement was made by Director of Cricket Mo Bobat and head coach Andy Flower.

Rajat Patidar guided Madhya Pradesh to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final where they lost to Mumbai by five wickets last year.

Virat Kohli holds the record for leading RCB in the most IPL games. He first captained the team in 2011 in Vettori’s absence and was appointed as the full-time captain in the 2013 season.

RCB chose Rajat Patidar to be their captain for IPL 2025 and beyond, ending all speculations about Virat Kohli would return to that role.