Virat Kohli's first reaction after RCB appoint Rajat Patidar as new captain for IPL 2025, says 'We will be right behind you...The way you have...'

Virat Kohli's first reaction after RCB appoint Rajat Patidar as new captain for IPL 2025, says 'We will be right behind you...The way you have...'
RCB captain Rajat Patidar (R) and superstar batter Virat Kohli

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Virat Kohli has a special message for RCB's new captain Rajat Patidar

Rajat Patidar became the eight player to become RCB captain in IPL

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have named Rajat Patidar as their new captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, which is set to start from March 21. RCB made this announcement on February 13at an event attended by head coach Andy Flower, team director Mo Bobat and the now new skipper Rajat Patidar.

With this appointment, Patidar becomes the eighth player and fourth Indian to captain RCB in IPL so far. He joins a list of seven previous RCB captains, including notable names such as Rahul Dravid, Daniel Vettori, Shane Watson, Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Shane Watson, and Anil Kumble.

Virat Kohli reacts after Rajat Patidar becomes RCB's new captain

Meanwhile, former RCB captain Virat Kohli has reacted to Rajat Patidar becoming RCB's brand new captain. He said that he and the other team members are right behind Rajat. He also said that the way Rajat has grown and performed in the franchise, he had made a place in the hearts of all RCB fans.

 

“Myself and the other team members will be right behind you, Rajat. The way you have grown in this franchise and the way you have performed, you’ve made a place in the hearts of all RCB fans. This is very well deserved,” Kohli said in a video shared by RCB on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

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Rajat Patidar, who was one of the three retained players before the IPL 2025 mega auction, boasts a decent track record when it comes to captaincy. He led Madhya Pradesh in both the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He guided Madhya Pradesh to the SMAT final, where they were eventually defeated by Mumbai. His batting performance in the tournament was also noteworthy, as he finished as the second-highest run-scorer with 428 runs in 10 matches, averaging 61 runs per game at a strike rate of 186.08.

Patidar amassed 395 runs at an average of 30.38 and a strike rate of 177.13 for RCB in IPL 2024. In his 27 IPL matches for RCB, he has scored 799 runs in a total of 28 matches at an average of 34.74 and a strike rate of 158.85.

While RCB has reached the IPL finals three times, most recently in 2016, they are still pursuing their first IPL title.