Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Rajat Patidar is one of the franchise’s top candidates to become team captain for IPL 2025. The talented cricketer was one of their top pre-auction retentions, as the franchise continues their search for a first-ever IPL title.
Several candidates are in line to take the captaincy after RCB parted ways with their long-standing skipper. Let’s see why Patidar is a top candidate for captain and why he could be the perfect fit for their title aspirations next season.
Why is Rajat Patidar a Candidate for RCB Captain?
Retention by RCB
RCB paid ₹ 11 crore to retain Patidar ahead of IPL 2025. The skilled batter has featured for the same franchise since 2021 after making an impressive IPL debut. His retention by the Bengaluru-based franchise is a clear indication of his importance to their future. RCB could decide to promote Patidar next season by handing him the captaincy.
He has been part of 27 RCB games so far, scoring 799 runs across seasons with a 34.7 average. Patidar also has a century and 7 fifties throughout his long-running stint as an RCB player.
Ability to anchor innings
Patidar has an impressive ability to anchor innings while accelerating scores for his team. He could be an asset for RCB next season, as the franchise decides to challenge for the IPL title. Patidar could lead from the front for several years if he gets to become team captain next season.
Performance during local T20 competitions
Patidar’s meaningful contribution during local T20 events is a testament to his immense gameplay ability. The cricketer remains calm under pressure and provides intense batting depth to any team he plays in.
Vital top order cricketer
Patidar’s potential contribution to RCB’s top order could be immense. He currently ranks as an important player alongside experienced stars like Phil Salt and Virat Kohli.
Captaincy experience
Patidar’s leadership during the recently-concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024 will be difficult for RCB to ignore. The cricketer led his side to a remarkable win rate across 8 matches throughout the tournament. His composed style of leadership and experience as a captain could boost his chances to become RCB’s captain.
Potential to become RCB’s core
Patidar is 31 years old and one of RCB’s most-experienced players right now. He could become a potential choice as long-term captain, since the franchise decided to release 40-year-old Faf du Plessis pre-auction.
His dynamic batting prowess and evident leadership abilities could make him RCB’s core player after the era of aging Virat Kohli. Patidar could be an integral part of the franchise’s future and potentially lead his side for many seasons.
Likely opening combination
RCB could pick Patidar as team captain based on his ability to create a formidable batting pairing with other stars in the team. The combination of Patidar’s versatility and suitable nature in several roles could ensure a solid campaign for RCB in 2025.
Other Candidates to Become RCB Captain at IPL 2025
Players likely to secure the RCB captaincy besides Patidar include:
Virat Kohli
Kohli holds the record for most matches played as RCB captain in history. Several reports claim Kohli is set to retain his role at the top of RCB’s on-field leadership after staying away from the position for multiple seasons.
Phil Salt
RCB has no issues with appointing overseas players as team captain and could take that path once again next season. Salt is one of the IPL’s most-experienced players and offers immense cricket ability to RCB’s plans for 2025.
He could be an ideal option to replace Faf du Plessis if Kohli doesn’t get the captaincy.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Kumar has been in fine form and could be an outside option for RCB’s skipper.
Rajat Patidar Hails KKR Coach as the “Best in India”
Patidar recently thanked RCB coach Chandrakant Pandit for his role as the Madhya Pradesh manager during SMAT 2024. Pandit led Madhya Pradesh to a final place at SMAT 2024 before narrowly missing out on the title to a determined Mumbai side.
Rajat said this about Pandit during an interview:
“I have learnt a lot about captaincy from my coach, Chandrakant Pandit. Everybody knows that he is the best coach in India.”
Patidar captained Madhya Pradesh at SMAT 2024 and was at his best-hitting form throughout the tournament. He managed an impressive 428 runs across 8 matches, with a decent average of 61.1 throughout 9 innings. Patidar also hit 4 half-centuries for Madhya Pradesh during this championship.
