RCB Captain Announcement Highlights: Rajat Patidar to Lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025

RCB Captain Announcement Live Updates: That's a wrap

Andy Flower, Mo Bobat and new captain Rajat Patidar finish their address to the media and that's a wrap from the RCB captain announcement ceremony in Bengaluru.

A new chapter begins for RCB and we couldn’t be more excited for Ra-Pa! 🤩

From being scouted for two to three years before he first made it to RCB in 2021, to coming back as injury replacement in 2022, missing out in 2023 due to injury, bouncing back and leading our middle… pic.twitter.com/gStbPR2fwc

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025

RCB Captain Announcement Live Updates: Patidar on RCB fans support

When asked about Bengaluru fans support during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final last year, Patidar said the RCB fans support wherever he or any of the team's players have played. The love and support shown by fans has motivated him. Patidar also added that RCB has been his favourite team from the very start.

RCB Captain Announced! Rajat Patidar Captaincy Style

I am not looking back, I'm looking forward. We have lot of experienced players, experienced leaders. My way of captaincy is different. So, I will back my instincts. I will also seek help from others. Patidar later delivered a message to the fans, stating, We have a better bowling unit this time. We will do whatever it takes to get the best result.

RCB Captain Announcement Live Updates: What Rajat Patidar Said?

I really feel good. If I talk about my captaincy, I am not that expressive but I know what's going around. I am lucky to be surrounded by good people, leadership group. (On learning from Kohli) His experience and ideas will definitely help in leadership role.

Rajat Patidar's Journey With RCB

Rajat Patidar was roped in by RCB ahead of the IPL 2021 season, but was released by the franchise after just one season. He, however, was brought in as a replacement player in 2022 for injured Luvnith Sisodia, and has since become a permanent fixture in the team. He was one of three retentions ahead of the mega auction last year, and he now takes over the role as captain of the team.

RCB Captain Announcement Live Updates: Kohli was an option!

Mo Bobat said an Indian captain was the most preferred candidate before adding that they had nothing against any overseas option. Bobat later responded to queries about Kohli being an option, "Of course, Virat was an option. He doesn't need a captaincy title. He's a leader regardless. Kohli leads with an example with the bat, he sets the tone, leads in the field, professionalism - the way he practices, nutrition, trains. But for the reasons we have said, it was right time for Rajat to takeover."

Rajat Patidar is 4th Indian to lead RCB

While he becomes the eighth player overall to captain RCB, the Madhya Pradesh skipper Rajat Patidar is the fourth Indian to lead the Bengaluru-based side after Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Virat Kohli.

RCB Captain Announcement Live Updates: What Director of Cricket Mo Bobat Said?

Rajat was quiet keen to take on captaincy. Both Virat and Rajat were quality options for captaincy. We just wanted to recruit a strong squad at the auction. The players we brought in - Krunal, Bhuvi, Jitesh - credibility and experience. We spent some time discussing with Dinesh Karthik, Virat, and also with Rajat. He really wanted to do this. We got a really good chance to watch Rajat closely during SMAT - not just captaincy but also how he played under pressure. We took inputs from Virat and then discussed internally.

RCB Captain Announcement Live Update: What Coach Andy Flower Said?

We watched Rajat very closely when he captained Madhya Pradesh in SMAT and we liked the quality. He's inherently a quiet guy but he cares about the people around him. He will instantly have the respect and care of other people. As leader those qualities are important. He's also got a stubbornness and steel about him. You see that in the way he plays, takes on the game. This quality will be very important for him when he goes through the ups and downs.

RCB Captain Announced: Kohli's message to Patidar!

Virat Kohli has said the team and himself will be behind Rajat Patidar as he begins his new journey as the new captain of RCB and the added the role is "well-deserved".

𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬! 💌

“Myself and the other team members will be right behind you, Rajat”: Virat Kohli

“The way you have grown in this franchise and the way you have performed, you’ve made a place in the hearts of all RCB fans. This is very well deserved.”… pic.twitter.com/dgjDLm8ZCN

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025

Rajat Patidar to lead RCB: Former Skippers Send Message!

Former captain Virat Kohli and Faf Du Plessis congratulated Rajat Patidary on taking over the captaincy of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Rajat Patidar becomes eighth player to lead RCB

Rajat Patidar follows Rahul Dravid, Kevin Pietersen, Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori, Virat Kohli, Shane Watson and Faf Du Plessis to become the eighth player to captain the Bengaluru-based franchise.

Welcome to your Raj, Ra-pa. 👑

The baton has been passed, and your name has made it to the history books.

It’s time for a new chapter! Let’s give the best fans in the world what they’ve been waiting for all these years. 🙌 #PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #RCBCaptain #Rajat #RajatPatidar… pic.twitter.com/AKwjM9bnsq

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025

RCB Captain Announced Live Update: How the Annoucement was made

RCB Chief Operating Officer Rajesh Menon took the stage and made a small speech about the big announcement before asking for the video clip to reveal the next skipper.

The next captain of RCB is…

Many greats of the game have carved a rich captaincy heritage for RCB, and it’s now time for this focused, fearless and fierce competitor to lead us to glory! This calmness under pressure and ability to take on challenges, as he’s shown us in the… pic.twitter.com/rPY2AdG1p5

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025

RCB Captain Revealed!

After a long wait and a lot of teasers, RCB has finally announced their captain for the upcoming IPL 2025 and the near future. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru has appointed Indian batter Rajat Patidar as the new RCB captain.

RCB Captain Announcement Live Updates: The Wait Continues!

RCB keep us waiting, but head coach Andy Flower and Mo Bobat are expected to make the announcement on the next captain soon.

RCB New Captain Annoucement Live Updates: It's almost time!

The announcement is just around the corner as RCB head coach Andy Flower is likely to reveal the new captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of IPL 2025.

RCB Captain Announcement Live Updates: One Last Clue!

RCB keep fans guessing, but have dropped the biggest possible hint in their latest social media post, which reveals the next Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper is an Indian.

𝗥𝗖𝗕 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗮𝗮𝗿𝘂?

We’re minutes away from unveiling the Skipper of RCB!

One last clue: He’s an Indian. 🇮🇳 #RCBCaptainYaaru #PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB pic.twitter.com/o9sbAfLD7B

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025

RCB Captain Announcement Live Updates: Krunal Pandya T20 Captaincy Record

He may not be the frontrunner, but Krunal Pandya also boasts a decent record as captain of Baroda in the T20 format. The all-rounder has also captained in the IPL during his stint at Lucknow Super Giants as stand-in skipper in the absence of KL Rahul. In 19 matches as captain of Baroda, Krunal has won 12 times for a winning percentage of 70.37. In 6 matches as skipper for LSG, Pandya has won 3, lost 2 and registered a no-result once for a winning percentage of 60.

RCB Captain Reveal Live Update: Kohli Lands in Mumbai

Virat Kohli, who was the favourite to takeover RCB captaincy after the auction, has landed in Mumbai after the ODI series against England, hinting that he may not be RCB's next captain after all. This leaves the door open for either Rajat Patidar or Krunal Pandya to lead the side. All will be clear in the next half an hour.

Ahmedabad 🛫 To Mumbai 🛬💙#ViratKohli #INDvENG @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/RkSGmZjTQp

— virat_kohli_18_club (@KohliSensation) February 13, 2025

RCB New Captain Announcement LIVE Update: Suspense to end soon

In just under 45 minutes, the suspense will end as RCB will announce their captain for the upcoming IPL 2025 and the "near future" with all hints pointing towards Rajat Patidar taking over the role. Stay tuned. The wait is almost over.

RCB Captain Anncouncement Live: Did DK spill the beans?

Former wicketkeeper-batter and current mentor Dinesh Karthik further teased the fans on the next captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

𝗥𝗖𝗕 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗮𝗮𝗿𝘂?

You’ve almost heard it from Batting Coach and Mentor 𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗸!

We’re announcing the Captain of RCB TODAY at 11:30 am. Stay tuned… @DineshKarthik | #RCBCaptainYaaru #PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB pic.twitter.com/C33UOdMVWx

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025

RCB Captain Announcement Live Updates: Rajat Patidar T20 Captaincy Record

Rajat Patidar has emerged as the frontrunner in the race for RCB's next captain. The Indian batter has captaincy experience from leading Madhya Pradesh in the domestic circuit. In 16 matches as captain in Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, Patidar has led the team to 12 wins for a winning percentage of 75.

pic.twitter.com/XucFQk1H6t

— S O U R A B H (@SSM_761997) February 13, 2025

RCB Captaincy history and timeline

Rahul Dravid led the franchise in their inaugural season, while Faf Du Plessis was the most recent skipper. In total, seven players have captained the team either permanently or as stand-in skippers.

• 2008 - Rahul Dravid
• 2009 - Kevin Pietersen
• 2009-10 - Anil Kumble
• 2011-12 - Daniel Vettori
• 2011-23 - Virat Kohli
• 2017 - Shane Watson
• 2022-24 - Faf Du Plessis

RCB Captain Annoucement Live! Are Captains in IPL 2025 Revealed?

Apart from RCB, even Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals will need to announce their captains for the upcoming season, while Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings named their skippers earlier in the form of Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer respectively.

Rajat Patidar & Krunal Pandya in the Race for RCB captaincy

According to a report in Times of India, Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya are the ones to watch after Kohli declined the opportunity to take up the captaincy role again. The report states Patidar has emerged as the frontrunner, while Krunal's leadership ability has also been highly regarded.

RCB Captain Announcement Live Updates: Patidar or Pandya Likely Options?

Virat Kohli was believed to be the obvious choice after RCB released Faf Du Plessis and decided against bidding for the former South African skipper at the mega auction. However, reports have emerged that Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya may be the two options after Kohli reportedly informed he doesn't want captaincy role.

RCB Captain Yaaru? - The Mystery Continues!

In the video posted by the franchise, there are several hints at who will be named skipper as fans try to hunt for the captain from the cryptic numbers which could be the jersey number of the player.

15 - Bhuvi
24 - Krunal
18 - Virat
61 - Phil salt
97 - Rajat patidar

— HK (@HK6093420) February 13, 2025

RCB Captain Announcement Live Update: Franchise Drop Hints!

Royal Challengers Bengaluru has got the fans excited with a video titled "RCB captain yaaru", meaning who is RCB's captain.

𝗥𝗖𝗕 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗮𝗮𝗿𝘂?

Treasure Hunt Time, 12th Man Army! Clues to who’s going to be the Captain of RCB for #IPL2025 are in this video. At least you have a shortlist now, don’t you? 😉

We’re announcing the Captain of RCB TODAY at 11:30 am. Stay tuned…

This is… pic.twitter.com/edY4EQTUR2

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025

RCB Captain Announcement Live: Kohli Declines Role?

The star India batter has reportedly said no to captaincy role despite the franchises preference to appoint him as the skipper for his second stint. According to a report, Kohli has completely ruled out leadership roles in any team at this stage of his career and is more inclined to help with the bat and assist the new RCB captain in the best possible way.

RCB captaincy options

RCB have several options with leadership experience in the form of Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya. Liam Livingstone also has captained England in the past.