RCB Announces New Captain: No Comeback for Virat Kohli – Live Updates

Published on: February 13, 2025

RCB Announces New Captain: No Comeback for Virat Kohli – Live Updates

RCB Captain Announcement for IPL 2025 – Live Updates

Rajat Patidar Named RCB Captain for IPL 2025

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have officially announced that batter Rajat Patidar will lead the franchise in the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The much-awaited captaincy announcement was made after weeks of speculation about who would take charge of the team. With the IPL 2025 season expected to begin after March 20, RCB have settled on a new leader to guide the team forward.

No Comeback for Virat Kohli as Captain

Following the IPL 2024 mega auction in December, many expected that Virat Kohli—who previously captained RCB from 2013 to 2021—would once again take on the leadership role. However, multiple reports suggested that Kohli himself declined the captaincy, opting instead to focus on his batting. Kohli, who is the leading run-scorer in IPL history, had a brilliant 2024 season but decided against returning as captain, paving the way for a fresh leader.

Why Rajat Patidar Was Chosen as Captain

Rajat Patidar was one of RCB’s retained players before the 2024 IPL mega auction. He has domestic captaincy experience, having led Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20) and the Vijay Hazare Trophy (ODI). The 31-year-old batter has been a consistent performer for RCB and was seen as a strong candidate for the leadership role.

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RCB’s Captaincy Selection Process

RCB had several captaincy options to consider before settling on Rajat Patidar. The franchise reportedly evaluated multiple factors, including:
• Experience in leadership roles
• Performance in IPL and domestic tournaments
• Tactical understanding of the game
• Ability to handle pressure and motivate the team

While overseas players like Phil Salt and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were considered, the management ultimately chose a homegrown talent in Patidar to lead the team.

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The Official Captaincy Announcement Event

The official event for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s captaincy announcement was held in Bengaluru, where team officials and players were present. The event began with a discussion on RCB’s journey over the years before the big announcement was made, revealing Rajat Patidar as the new captain for IPL 2025.

RCB’s Performance in IPL 2024

RCB had a rollercoaster of a season in IPL 2024. They started poorly, losing seven of their first eight games, and found themselves at the bottom of the points table. However, in a dramatic turnaround, Faf du Plessis and the team won their last six matches in a row, securing a playoff spot.

RCB’s Last League Stage Match Against CSK

One of the most thrilling matches of IPL 2024 was RCB’s final league-stage clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The match was a must-win for both teams. RCB, batting first, posted a huge total of 218/5. CSK put up a strong fight but could only manage 191/7, resulting in an RCB victory that sent them into the playoffs.

RCB’s Exit in IPL 2024 Playoffs

Despite their strong comeback, RCB’s title dreams were cut short in the Eliminator match against Rajasthan Royals. The team fought hard but failed to cross the line, ending their campaign.

Past Captains of Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Over the years, RCB has had several captains leading the team. Here’s a list of all RCB captains since the franchise’s inception:
• Rahul Dravid (2008)
• Kevin Pietersen (2009)
• Anil Kumble (2009-2010)
• Daniel Vettori (2011-2012)
• Virat Kohli (2011-2021)
• Shane Watson (2017 – Interim Captain)
• Faf du Plessis (2022-2024)
• Rajat Patidar (2025 – Present)

Was Bhuvneshwar Kumar Considered for Captaincy?

Apart from Rajat Patidar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was also a strong contender for the RCB captaincy. The experienced Indian pacer was bought by RCB for ₹10.75 crore in the IPL 2024 mega auction. Bhuvneshwar has previously captained Sunrisers Hyderabad on a few occasions, showcasing his leadership skills. However, the management decided to go with a specialist batter instead of a bowler.

Other Strong Captaincy Candidates

Phil Salt – The Overseas Contender
England’s aggressive wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt was another potential candidate for the captaincy role. Salt, who played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2024, has international captaincy experience, having led England in a T20I series against Australia in the absence of Jos Buttler. However, RCB decided to go with an Indian captain to maintain overseas player balance in the playing XI.

Krunal Pandya – A Strong Choice?

Another name that was in contention for the captaincy role was Krunal Pandya. The all-rounder has prior leadership experience, having captained Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2023 during KL Rahul’s absence. Additionally, he has led Baroda in domestic cricket. Krunal’s all-round abilities and experience made him a viable option, but the management ultimately went with Patidar.

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Virat Kohli’s Legacy as RCB Captain

Though Virat Kohli has decided not to return as RCB captain, his legacy as a leader remains unmatched. He led the team in 143 matches, making him the second-longest-serving captain in IPL history after MS Dhoni.

Kohli’s Captaincy Stats in IPL
• Matches: 143
• Wins: 68
• Losses: 70
• No Results: 4
• Best Season: 2016 (Finalists)

Kohli’s most memorable season as captain was in 2016, when he led RCB to the final and scored a record-breaking 973 runs—the most by any player in a single IPL season.

What’s Next for RCB Under Patidar?

With Rajat Patidar taking charge, RCB will be looking for a strong season in IPL 2025. Some key challenges and expectations include:
• Strengthening the bowling attack
• Building a balanced team with overseas players
• Ensuring a strong start to the season
• Targeting their maiden IPL trophy

While Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli will continue as senior players, the leadership transition to Patidar marks a new era for the franchise.

Conclusion

The appointment of Rajat Patidar as RCB captain brings fresh hope to Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans. With the team’s strong core and experienced players, IPL 2025 could be the season where RCB finally lifts their maiden IPL trophy. Fans will be eager to see how Patidar leads the team and whether he can guide them to IPL glory.

Stay tuned for more updates on RCB’s IPL 2025 campaign!