In the 2025 IPL auction, players like KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer were highly sought after, primarily because of their potential to lead a team. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), having parted ways with Faf du Plessis, was expected to target one of these individuals. They showed some initial interest in Rahul, bidding up to INR 10.5 crore, but eventually decided to back off. Their pursuit of Rishabh Pant went up to INR 11 crore before they once again withdrew. However, RCB did not consider Shreyas Iyer at all during the auction.
With only three players retained—Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal—RCB had a sizeable budget to assemble a squad. They wisely opted for a blend of both overseas and Indian talent, bringing in players like Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Krunal Pandya, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Yet, notably, they didn’t focus on finding a captain during the auction.
While Kohli was an experienced captain, having led RCB to multiple playoff appearances, including a memorable run to the 2016 final, the franchise made a bold decision. They entrusted the leadership to Rajat Patidar, signaling a new direction. Mo Bobat, RCB’s Director of Cricket, revealed that Kohli’s opinion played a significant role in the choice.
Bobat shared, “We had in-depth talks with Dinesh Karthik, who is now an integral part of our management team. We also discussed things with Virat and Rajat. Rajat’s passion for captaincy stood out. He wanted the role, and his determination was clear. His captaincy during the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament further assured us of his leadership potential.”
Bobat also mentioned how Kohli, while a captaincy option himself, fully supported Rajat’s appointment. “Virat doesn’t need the captaincy title to lead the team. His leadership comes naturally, and he inspires everyone around him. His input was invaluable, and it was clear that Rajat was the right choice,” Bobat said.
Flower, the head coach, spoke highly of Kohli’s maturity and integrity during the process. He emphasized that Virat’s ability to turn around RCB’s season last year and his constant drive for excellence made him a role model for the team. “Virat is a natural leader, and his energy continues to inspire not only the Indian players but also the overseas talent,” said Flower.
The management’s task now is to blend Kohli’s fiery leadership style with Patidar’s more composed approach. Flower explained that leadership varies from person to person. “As a coach, it’s my job to adapt my style to suit the captain. While Virat’s intensity is a standout quality, Rajat brings his own unique cricketing mind to the table. He’ll learn from Virat but must make his own decisions under pressure,” Flower stated.
Both Kohli and Du Plessis, former RCB captains, extended their best wishes to Rajat, recognizing the significant responsibility of leading the team. Kohli, in his message, lauded Patidar’s growth as a player and as a leader, emphasizing that he had earned the right to captain the side. He expressed his full support and encouraged fans to back Rajat, ensuring that he would always do what was best for the team.
Du Plessis, passing the baton on to Rajat, also congratulated him for stepping into the leadership role. He acknowledged the honor of captaining RCB and assured Rajat of the franchise’s support system, including the experienced coaching staff and leadership group. He also reminded Rajat to continue playing to his strengths, especially his ability to clear the boundary with ease.
Ultimately, the decision to hand the captaincy to Rajat Patidar reflects RCB’s commitment to nurturing young leadership while keeping the invaluable guidance of players like Kohli and Du Plessis within arm’s reach. It marks a new chapter for the team as they look to build for the future with the full support of their leadership group.