THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Bengaluru, Feb 13: Ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has made a significant leadership change by appointing Rajat Patidar as the new captain.
Earlier, there was speculation that Virat Kohli might once again take charge of RCB for IPL 2025. However, the team management showed a greater interest in appointing a fresh face instead of reverting to the former captain.
One of the key reasons for choosing Rajat Patidar as captain is his performance as a leader in domestic cricket where he led Madhya Pradesh into the final of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024.
Rajat Patidar has been a key Indian player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) since 2022, delivering consistent performances. In 24 IPL innings, he has amassed 799 runs at an average of 34.73 and a strike rate of 158.84, including a century and seven fifties. His standout moment came in the 2022 IPL Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants, where he became the first uncapped player to score a century in the playoffs.
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Patidar’s ability to dominate spin bowling, particularly his power-hitting against spinners, has been a defining aspect of his game. In the 2024 IPL season, he played a crucial role in RCB’s comeback, scoring 395 runs in 13 matches at an average of over 30 and a strike rate exceeding 177. His explosive performances were instrumental in the team’s late surge into the playoffs after securing just one win in their first eight games.
Beyond the IPL, Patidar has proven his leadership credentials in domestic cricket. He has captained Madhya Pradesh across formats, leading them to the finals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last season. He played a pivotal role in the campaign, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest run-getter with 428 runs in 10 matches at an average of 61.14 and a strike rate of over 186, including five half-centuries.
On the international stage, Patidar made his India debut in late 2023 against South Africa. He has played one ODI and three Test matches, making an impression with a quickfire 22-run knock in his debut game.
