Follow UsRoyal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have a new face of the franchise as Madhya Pradesh batter Rajat Patidar has been named the side’s captain for the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The announcement was made by the franchise’s head coach, Andy Flower, and Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, in a special event in Bengaluru.
Patidar, 31, impressed as skipper only a few months back, leading Madhya Pradesh to the final of the 2024/25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The captaincy burden did not affect the right-handed batter either, as he amassed 542 runs as captain in the season, averaging 41.69 while striking at 164.7.
And he’s been one of the standout batters for RCB since 2022, having amassed 728 runs at an average of 38.32 and strike rate of 165.1.
Over the last three seasons, the 31-year-old has become a cult hero in the eyes of the fans, largely thanks to his ultra-aggressive stroke-making.
He’s carved a niche for himself as an elite spin-hitter, having averaged 63.5 and having struck at 185.8 against the tweakers since 2022. Astonishingly, only four people have hit more sixes against spin than Patidar in the IPL since 2022 (34) despite the right-hander missing the entirety of IPL 2023 due to injury.
RCB will hope that Patidar turns out to be the lucky charm that finally brings the Men’s side a trophy.