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In a surprising move Royal Challengers Bangalore announces its new captain as Rajat Patidar ahead of IPL 2025. Patidar’s appointment reflects a fresh leadership outlook for RCB and the hope of clinching their first IPL title. As the team gears up for IPL 2025, all eyes will be on the young leader to take RCB to its first title and end another season of almost making it.
Rajat Patidar’s Memorable Rise
The way Patidar came inside RCB camp back in 2021 to presently were soaring above anyone’s imagination. Though he had a rocky start, he gained overnight prominence in IPL 2022 after a gutsy 112 off 49 balls in that year’s Eliminator match, recognized as the fastest century in the IPL playoffs. Over the last three seasons, Patidar has amassed a total of 799 runs in 28 IPL matches at an impressive strike rate of 158.85 that secured him a position amongst the most vital players within the RCB.
𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬! 💌
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025
“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
Virat Kohli backs Patidar
This announcement probably surprised many, as they expected Kohli to rejoin and guide the RCB through IPL 2025. However, a lovely video message from Virat Kohli congratulated Patidar and said he would always be with the team.
Here is the table showing Rajat Patidar scores in IPL
| IPL Season | Matches (M) | Runs (R) | Highest Score (HS) | Average (Avg) | Strike Rate (S/R) | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
| 2024 | 15 | 395 | 55 | 30.38 | 177.13 | 0 | 5 | 21 | 33 |
| 2022 | 8 | 333 | 112 | 55.50 | 152.75 | 1 | 2 | 27 | 18 |
| 2021 | 4 | 71 | 31 | 17.75 | 114.51 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 27 | 799 | 112 | 34.74 | 158.85 | 1 | 7 | 51 | 54 |
