RCB IPL 2025: Rajat Patidar Ready to Lead the Team After Faf du Plessis’ Exit, The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team is looking ahead to the IPL 2025 season with a fresh perspective after the departure of last year’s captain, Faf du Plessis. One player who could potentially step into the leadership role is Madhya Pradesh batter Rajat Patidar.
Patidar, known for his explosive batting and leadership qualities, has expressed his openness to leading the RCB if given the chance. His strong performance in domestic cricket has made him a favorite to take over the reins.
Patidar was retained by RCB ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, with a contract worth INR 11 crore, signaling the franchise’s trust in his abilities. This move followed the decision to release du Plessis, without bringing in a new, clear leader.
As a result, Patidar’s name has emerged as a potential candidate to fill the leadership vacuum. His form has been impressive, with 347 runs from just nine matches at a remarkable strike rate of 182.6. This excellent performance, combined with his leadership experience at Madhya Pradesh, makes him a strong contender for the RCB captaincy.
Patidar himself has shown his willingness to take on the role. Speaking ahead of his team’s big clash in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he said, “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.” He further shared that being retained by RCB boosted his confidence, adding, “RCB is a big franchise, and I love playing for RCB. So, it gave me a lot of confidence that they retained me.”
While Patidar remains a strong option, there are other names being speculated for the captaincy. Virat Kohli, who previously led RCB until 2021, is reportedly still a possibility for a leadership comeback. However, the franchise has not confirmed any such move yet. Other potential candidates mentioned in media reports include Baroda’s Krunal Pandya, England’s Phil Salt, and Uttar Pradesh pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar. However, these players would go against RCB’s usual strategy of appointing a high-profile, star player as captain.
In addition to his batting prowess, Patidar credited Madhya Pradesh’s head coach, Chandrakant Pandit, for his growth as a leader. Pandit, who led Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 title, has played a key role in Patidar’s development. “I have learned a lot from it. I have enjoyed learning the tactics. I love seeing players and anticipating what they can do,” Patidar said. He also praised Pandit, calling him “the best coach in India.”
As RCB prepares for the 2025 season, the decision on the captaincy will be a crucial one, with Patidar certainly among the top contenders to lead the team. Fans will be eager to see who takes charge as the franchise looks to build a strong squad and chase that elusive IPL title.
