Mumbai: The journey of Rajat Patidar with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been nothing short of a remarkable turnaround. Initially released after just four matches in the 2021 season, Patidar returned to the team in 2022 as an injury replacement, quickly justifying his inclusion with a stunning knock of 333 runs, including a century in the Eliminator. This performance set the stage for his rise within the team, culminating in him being named captain in IPL 2025—a move aimed at ending RCB’s IPL title drought.
Patidar’s leadership and batting style have silenced any doubts about his ability to lead. Strategically positioned at No. 4, he’s not only adept at tackling spinners but has also shown prowess against pacers. A highlight of his season came during a match against Mumbai Indians, where he smashed a 32-ball 64, leading RCB to a formidable 221/5. Earlier, his contributions included a quickfire 16-ball 34 against KKR, and a top score of 32-ball 51 against CSK.
His appointment as skipper raised eyebrows, yet Patidar has navigated through the pressure with finesse. Alongside Virat Kohli, the only other batter retained by RCB for the season, Patidar’s performances have been pivotal. His ability to stabilize the innings after the explosive starts from openers like Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, and Devdutt Padikkal has been key to maintaining the team’s momentum through the crucial middle overs.
Domestically, Patidar’s consistent performances have long hinted at his leadership capabilities, a fact that those who followed his career closely would attest to. His on-field decisions and tactical acumen have quelled any pre-season skepticism about his readiness to replace the likes of Kohli and Faf du Plessis. On the field, he has been given a free rein to lead, and RCB is banking on his ‘lucky charm’ to finally secure their maiden IPL title.