Rajat Patidar has emerged as a strong contender for the captaincy of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL 2025 after leading Madhya Pradesh to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 final. Speaking ahead of his team’s clash against Mumbai in the tournament final, Patidar shared his aspirations to captain RCB.
“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 said, highlighting his enthusiasm for the role. The star batter credited his coach Chandrakant Pandit for shaping his leadership skills. “I have learnt a lot about captaincy from my coach Chandrakant Pandit. Everyone knows he is the best coach in India. I have enjoyed learning tactics, observing players, and anticipating their moves.”
Stellar Performances and Growing Leadership
Patidar, retained by RCB for ₹11 crore ahead of the mega auction, has been a consistent performer for the franchise. In IPL 2024, he amassed 395 runs in 13 innings at a remarkable strike rate of 177.13, playing a key role in RCB’s playoff qualification.
The 31-year-old has carried this form into domestic tournaments, excelling in both the Ranji Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Beyond his batting, Patidar has impressed with his captaincy, leading Madhya Pradesh to several notable victories, including their recent journey to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final.
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The Captaincy Race
RCB’s captaincy position became vacant after the release of Faf du Plessis ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. Fans and cricket experts have been speculating on Patidar as a potential replacement. While his name is gaining traction, other candidates include experienced players like Phil Salt and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Phil Salt, who recently captained England in white-ball cricket, brings international leadership experience, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar is known for his calm and tactical approach. Despite this competition, Patidar’s strong performances and growing reputation as a leader make him a standout choice.
Meanwhile, fans have also expressed interest in Virat Kohli returning to the captaincy, but reports suggest that the former skipper is unlikely to take up the role in 2025.
With the IPL 2025 season approaching, all eyes are on RCB’s management as they finalize their captain for the next campaign. For now, Patidar continues to focus on his leadership journey, starting with the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final.
