Madhya Pradesh batter Rajat Patidar is the ‘frontrunner’ to be named the RCB captain for the IPL 2025 season as Virat Kohli now looks unlikely to take up the job, TOI reported on Wednesday (February 12).
According to the report, RCB’s strategy for the IPL 2025 auction was centered around the belief that Kohli would return as the captain of the team for the first time since quitting the role in 2021.
However, the report added that the team has recently had to change their plan after getting ‘strong indications’ from Kohli and had discussions with ‘senior India players in the RCB camp’, which has resulted in Patidar emerging as a leading contender.
Former Mumbai Indians all-rounder Krunal Pandya is also in the leadership reckoning. The report further stated that RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik too played a key role in solving the captaincy puzzle.
The Bengaluru-based franchise seems set to announce its captain on Thursday (February 13) having sent an online event invite to media about a ‘special event’ for 11:30 am. Many high-profile members of the staff, including director Mo Bobat, head coach Andy Flower and Karthik are expected to be present.
RCB released their skipper Faf du Plessis ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, where they didn’t show any desire to aggressively sign available captaincy options like Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, among others.
Patidar and Krunal lead Madhya Pradesh and Baroda in domestic cricket, respectively. Patidar, who RCB retained for Rs. 11 crore, took Madhya Pradesh to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final and top-scored in a losing cause in the summit clash.
RCB roped in Krunal for INR 5.75 crore in the auction and besides a few controversial moments, he has led Baroda commendably, making them punch above their weight more often than not.
Rajat Patidar was asked about RCB captaincy during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last December and he had said he’d be ‘happy’ to take up the job.
“Of course, if I get an opportunity to lead RCB, that is what I am there for, and I will be happy. But it all depends on the franchise,” Patidar had said.
The IPL 2025 season is likely to get underway in the third week of March
