Rajat Patidar has been named RCB's captain for the IPL 2025 season.
Following the release of Faf du Plessis, RCB didn't buy anyone with leadership abilities in the mega auction last November. It was speculated that one between Virat Kohli and Patidar would be given the charge.
Kohli had led RCB from 2013 to 2021. The high point of his captaincy came in 2016, when they finished runners-up to Sunrisers Hyderabad.
On the other hand, Patidar captained Madhya Pradesh in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy earlier in the season.
As it turned out, RCB handed the captaincy responsibilities to Patidar, under whom Madhya Pradesh reached the final of the 2024-25 SMAT (domestic T20 tournament).
With barely a few days remaining for the 18th edition of IPL, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has warned that Rajat Patidar may find it difficult to lead RCB in his first season as captain.
Harbhajan, who has captained Mumbai Indians in some games during his playing days, also opined that leading an IPL team is “tougher” than captaining Team India.
“For someone like Patidar, it will be a huge challenge. To captain a big team like that, it's not going to be easy to take decisions. Who will play, who will bowl at what point… he hasn't led a side before. People think leading India is the most difficult thing, but I think it's even tougher leading a franchise, because I have done it,” Harbhajan told ESPNCricinfo.
“Patidar has the pressure of expectations because they haven't won a single season. You have to live up to it, and play your own game, too. Everything revolves around Virat Kohli there. He also has to ensure that he has a good season. RCB have appointed Patidar for five seasons, but if this one doesn't go well, we will see where he will stand,” he added.
Rajat Patidar has played 27 games for RCB, scoring 799 runs at a strike rate of 158.85, and is equally adept at dominating pace and spin. He was one of three RCB retainers for this season, along with Virat Kohli and Yash Dayal. He was retained for INR 11 crore.
RCB will begin their IPL 2025 campaign against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders on March 22 at the Eden Gardens.