RCB Captains: List of Royal Challengers Bengaluru Skippers After Rajat Patidar Becomes Franchise's 8th Captain

RCB Captains: Indian batter Rajat Patidar on Thursday (February 13) was appointed the new captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League season - IPL 2025.

The 31-year-old, who captains Madhya Pradesh in the domestic circuit, is set for his first stint as IPL captain, becoming the fourth Indian to lead the Bengaluru-based side and overall eighth player to take over the leadership role of the team.

Rajat Patidar becomes eighth captain of RCB

Patidar replaces outgoing skipper Faf Du Plessis, who has been roped in by Delhi Capitals after he was released by RCB ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. Du Plessis had taken over the reins from Kohli, who had stepped down from the role in 2021. Kohli, however, stood in when Du Plessis was not in the playing 11 in the 2023 season.

RCB has never managed to win the IPL title since the inception of the lucrative league, but have reached the final on three occasions - 2009, 2011 and 2016, when they finished as runners up. Before Kohli, four other players had led RCB. Here is look at the list of RCB captains so far:

List of Royal Challengers Bengaluru Skippers

1.Rahul Dravid (2008): The former Indian captain was the icon player of the franchise in the inaugural edition. He, however, endured a poor season at the helm, as RCB lost 10 of their 14 matches, The string of results saw Dravid step down from the role after the season, finishing with a win percentage of just 28.57.

2. Kevin Pietersen (2009): Former England batter Kevin Pietersen took over as captain in 2009 season, but his stint did not last long as he managed just 2 wins in 6 matches before stepping down. Pietersen finished his tenure with a win percentage of 33.33.

3. Anil Kumble (2009-10): The legendary leg spinner led the team from midway through the season in 2009, and took the team all the way into the final, which RCB lost to now defunct Deccan Chargers. He continued for one more season before calling time on his playing career. Kumble finished with a win percentage of 57.69, the highest among all captains.

4. Daniel Vettori (2011-12): The former New Zealand skipper captain RCB in two seasons, leading the team to the final in 2011, when they lost to Chennai Super Kings. Vettori led RCB only in 22 matches with the future captain Virat Kohli sharing the load during his stints. The Kiwi finished with a win percentage of 54.54, having won 12 matches.

5. Virat Kohli (2013-2021): The former India skipper has had the longest stints as captain of RCB, having led the side in nine seasons and also serving in the role in stand-in capacity in few seasons, including the 2023 edition. He captain RCB to their third final in 2016, but once again fell short in the title clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Kohli has led RCB in 143 matches, the second longest stint as captain after the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni for Chennai Super Kings. Kohli has 68 wins and 70 losses and four no-results to show as RCB leader.

6. Shane Watson (2017): The former Australian all-rounder stepped in as cover for Kohli during the one season. He captained the team in 3 matches, winning just once and losing twice for a win percentage of 33.33.

7. Faf Du Plessis (2022-24): Former South African captain took over the reins from Kohli in 2022 after he was bought by the franchise in the mega auction. The Protea led the side to two playoff finishes. In 42 matches as captain. Du Plessis guided the team to victory 21 times for a 50% win percentage.

8. Rajat Patidar (2025): The Madhya Pradesh batter, who also brings in captaincy experience, was appointed the RCB captain on Thursday (February 13) for the upcoming season and near future. 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.