Sports Bulletin on February 13: Rajat Patidar named new RCB captain, Kerala reach Ranji Trophy semifinal

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In today's sports bulletin (February 13), major headlines include Rajat Patidar's appointment as the new Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain for IPL 2025, replacing Faf du Plessis.

Kerala secured a historic Ranji Trophy semifinal berth after a tense quarterfinal battle. Meanwhile, international cricket, football, and franchise leagues also made headlines with thrilling results and key decisions.

Rajat Patidar Named RCB Captain for IPL 2025, Succeeds Faf du Plessis

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have named Rajat Patidar as their captain for IPL 2025, making him the eighth player to lead the franchise. The 31-year-old batter, retained for ₹11 crore, replaces Faf du Plessis following his release. RCB’s Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, initiated discussions about Patidar’s leadership last season, while head coach Andy Flower praised his calmness, decision-making, and resilience. Having led Madhya Pradesh to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final, Patidar is seen as a strong long-term leader for the franchise.

Mo Bobat Explains RCB’s Captaincy Call, Says Virat Kohli "Doesn’t Need a Title"

RCB’s director of cricket, Mo Bobat, revealed that Virat Kohli was considered for the captaincy but emphasised that he remains a leader regardless of an official title. “Of course, Virat was an option," Bobat said. “That goes without saying, and I know that the fans would have probably leaned towards Virat in the first instance, but we have seen a lot of love for Rajat too… Virat doesn’t need a captaincy title to lead." Head coach Andy Flower praised Kohli’s maturity in discussions and his role in RCB’s IPL 2024 turnaround. Kohli, who captained RCB from 2013 to 2021, backed new skipper Rajat Patidar and pledged his full support for the upcoming season.

Virat Kohli Backs Rajat Patidar as RCB’s New Captain for IPL 2025

Virat Kohli, in a video message, pledged full support to Rajat Patidar, praising his growth and impact at RCB. "Myself and the other team members will be right behind you, Rajat," said 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." Head coach Andy Flower backed the decision, citing Patidar’s patience and leadership qualities. Patidar, who has scored 799 IPL runs at a 158.84 strike rate, was instrumental in RCB’s playoff push last season.

Kerala Batters Hold Firm to Overcome J&K, Reach First Ranji Trophy Semifinal in Six Years

Kerala battled through a tense final day to force a draw against Jammu and Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal, advancing to their first semifinal in six years on the basis of a one-run first-innings lead. Sachin Baby and Akshay Chandran laid the foundation with patient knocks before Mohammed Azharuddeen (67*) and Salman Nizar (44*) stitched an unbeaten 115-run stand to deny J&K’s bowlers. Despite using seven bowlers, J&K failed to break Kerala’s resistance, ending their hopes of a maiden semifinal appearance.

Rajasthan Royals Reappoint Sairaj Bahutule as Spin Bowling Coach for IPL 2025

Rajasthan Royals have brought back former India all-rounder Sairaj Bahutule as their spin bowling coach ahead of IPL 2025. The 52-year-old, who was part of RR's setup from 2018-21, has an extensive coaching résumé, having worked with Mumbai, Bengal, Kerala, and the Indian national team. Bahutule will work under head coach Rahul Dravid, who praised his deep understanding of spin bowling. RR also recently appointed Vikram Rathour as their batting coach for the season.

Feyenoord, Club Brugge, and Benfica Secure Narrow Wins in Champions League Playoffs

Feyenoord edged AC Milan 1-0 in their Champions League play-off first leg, with Igor Paixao’s early strike proving the difference. Club Brugge secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Atalanta, with Gustaf Nilsson converting a stoppage-time penalty. Meanwhile, Benfica took a crucial 1-0 advantage against 10-man Monaco, thanks to Vangelis Pavlidis’ second-half chip. All three winners will take slender leads into their respective second-leg clashes.