Royal Challengers Bengaluru overlook Virat Kohli as captain for 2025 season

Dubai: Royal Challengers Bengaluru has snubbed Virat Kohli and has given the captaincy to Rajat Patidar for the Indian Premier League 2025.

Patidar, who was retained RCB for Rs 110 million, took Madhya Pradesh to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final and top-scored against Mumbai, who won the contest by five wickets.

Patadar finished as the second-highest run-getter in the tournament, amassing 428 runs from 10 matches at an imposing average of 61 and an electrifying strike-rate of 186.08, behind Ajinkya Rahane.

Illustrious company

Rajat Patidar was asked about RCB captaincy during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last December and he had said he’d be ‘happy’ to take up the job.

“Of course, if I get an opportunity to lead RCB, that is what I am there for, and I will be happy. But it all depends on the franchise,” Patidar had said.

Patidar was at his best for RCB last season, amassing 395 runs, including 33 sixes, in 15 matches.

The 31-year-old has joined the illustrious company of Rahul Dravid, Kevin Pietersen, Anil Kumble and Kohli as captains of Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Former South African skipper Faf du Plessis had led the team for the past three seasons after Kohli relinquished the captaincy. The team has been searching for their first title in 18 years, and the start of every season brings renewed hope for their fans.

However, du Plessis was signed by Delhi Capitals during the mega auction in Jeddah late last year, leaving the franchise in search of a new leader to finally break their IPL title drought.

A cryptic tease for fans

The franchise began teasing the fans with a cryptic message on X with a question “RCB captain yaaru? (Who is the RCB captain?),” accompanied by a video with clues. “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?”

Among the clues, the No 18 figures prominently, signalling that Kohli is among the shortlisted candidates to lead the team. All-rounder Krunal Pandya was also reportedly in the race.

“We’re announcing the Captain of RCB TODAY at 11:30am,” the tweet concluded.