IPL 2025
Live Score
IPL Schedule
IPL Points Table
Orange Cap 2025
Purple Cap 2025
IPL Player Stats
IPL Team Stats
IPL Teams & Squads
IPL Auctions
ICC Ranking
Cricket PlayersRCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Highlights: Rajat Patidar succeeds Faf du Plessis
- 12:33 PM IST, Feb 13 ‘RCB has been my favourite team…’
- 12:22 PM IST, Feb 13 Rajat Patidar speaks as RCB captain
- 12:13 PM IST, Feb 13 Bobat explains why Kohli wasn't opted for captaincy
- 12:10 PM IST, Feb 13 Director Mo Bobat provides explanation for process of decision
- 12:06 PM IST, Feb 13 Coach Andy Flower speaks on Rajat Patidar
- 12:03 PM IST, Feb 13 Kohli and Faf speak about RCB's next captain
- 11:57 AM IST, Feb 13 RAJAT PATIDAR IS THE NEW RCB CAPTAIN
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Highlights: After plenty of speculations and arguments over who would or should take over captaincy for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2025 season, the official announcement was made by the franchise with star batter Rajat Patidar becoming their new skipper heading into the season. A special event saw Patidar answer questions from reporters, alongside coach Andy Flower and director of cricket Mo Bobat. Additionally, Patidar received notes of confidence from former RCB captains in Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis, with Kohli in particular speaking in a heartfelt way regarding his excitement to work with his new skipper at the Chinnaswamy Stadium....Read More
Will Virat Kohli return as captain for the first time in four years or will we see a rising new talent take the next step in his career? The wait is set to be over. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will announce their new captain for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) today (Thursday, February 13). RCB have scheduled a press conference at around 11:30 am today to reveal their new captain for IPL 2025 and beyond. RCB's Director of Cricket Mo Bobat and head coach Andy Flower are likely to make the announcement. There have been multiple reports ever since RCB parted ways with Faf du Plessis. The South African talisman led RCB for three seasons between 2022 and 2024 before being let go by the franchise ahead of last year's mega auction. Du Plessis could not bring an end to RCB's trophy drought but he did a fine job as batter and leader. But du Plessis is about to turn 41 in July this year. Looking at the next three years with a 41-year-old captain was always going to be difficult. Du Plessis, however, found a taker in the mega auction as the Delhi Capitals picked him up for his base price of ₹2 crore.
RCB also acquired some big names such as Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma and Phil Salt in the auction but none of them clear-cut favourites to take over from du Plessis as their new captain. Hence, there is rising chatter about Kohli's return as RCB captain.
Kohli was the RCB captain between 2013 and 2021 before stepping down as Faf du Plessis took over. Kohli has a fine record as RCB captain, though he could not land them the title. The 36-year-old has led RCB in 143 matches, the second-longest stint as captain after the legendary MS Dhoni for Chennai Super Kings. Kohli has 68 wins and 70 losses and four no-results to show as RCB leader. In 2016, Kohli had led the franchise to the IPL final, and made 973 runs, to date the highest for a batter in a single IPL season. In IPL 2024, Kohli was the top run-getter with 741 runs at a strike rate of 154.
Kohli is 38 himself but there is no question about his fitness. The question here is, will Kohli agree to return to a leadership role? He let go of India's captaincy and RCB leadership almost around the same time and hasn't led in a single game since the start of 2022. He also declined to lead Delhi on his Ranji Trophy return after 12 years last month.
"I’m not someone who holds onto things more than I should. Even if I know I can do a lot more, if I’m not going to enjoy the process, I’m not going to do it," Kohli had said on "The RCB Podcast". "I wanted some space and I wanted to manage my workload and the story ends there."
What are the other options RCB have if it's Virat Kohli? The first name that comes to mind is Rajat Patidar. Patidar was among RCB's retained players ahead of the auction and has the experience of leading Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. The 31-year-old Patidar had guided Madhya Pradesh to the SMAT final, where they lost to Mumbai by five wickets. He was also the second-highest run-getter, behind Ajinkya Rahane, with 428 from 10 matches at an average of 61 and a strike rate of 186.08.
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Patidar speaks on being Kohli's captain
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates:
On captaining Kohli this year:
"It's not that much pressure, since I've played with him for quite some time. His ideas and thoughts will help me as a leader.
I haven't been able to speak with him too much, but if I speak on what quality I want, I want the ability to be able to read the game."
On legacy of RCB captains:
“There is pressure, but I am confident about myself and how I captain. I am clear in my mind, I have that belief and that confidence. This is a great opportunity.”
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Further questions answered by Patidar, Flower
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates:
On RCB's fans, Patidar says:
“The way RCB fans love and support not only me but all the players, that's a big plus point. I have too much support outside the ground and from within the team.”
Andy Flower on differences between Virat and Rajat:
"There are different ways to skin a cat. There is no single way to lead, and my job as coach is to mould myself based on the captain I am working with.
Virat's energy, motivation, and drive is special to have in a 36-year-old. It's great role-modelling for the younger players, Indian and overseas.
He has a great cricket mind, and the skipper's responsibility is to listen, assess, and make his own decision. Rajat is absolutely capable of this."
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: ‘RCB has been my favourite team…’
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Patidar continues:
"Mo and I spoke about this last year, if I was interested. First I wanted to captain the state team before RCB. When I got the hint I could captain this year, I was happy given where I started my IPL career, enjoyed this journey.
When I was told it was either me or Virat, I was glad about the improvement, even as an individual, that I could have."
"To be honest, I didn't think too much about my position in the team as such. The love and support I got when I came in as a replacement motivated me to better.
RCB has been my favourite team right from the start, I feel very lucky to be able to captain this franchise."
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Patidar reflects on RCB's team for 2025
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates:
Rajat on the team combination:
“We have a good bowling unit. If I compare with last year, our bowling has improved. This is a message to fans, we will do whatever it takes to get the best results.”
Andy Flower on Kohli:
"In our discussion with Virat, I thought the integrity and amturity he showed as a man regarding this subject, was exactly what I expect. One of the things that stood out was the enthusiasm he is looking forward to this IPL with. He likes and respects Rajat as a person and a player.
You saw the authencity with which he spoke, that's exactly what Mo and I experienced. First half of the season when we were struggling, he was a key part of turning the season around in how he works on himself and models his game, how he supported Faf. My respect for him could only grow."
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Flower, Bobat, Patidar answer questions
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates:
Bobat on why RCB didn't target names such as KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer:
“We wanted to make sure we had internal options, and we were happy with the players we were targeting. It was never a pressure point, we were happy with the options we had.”
Patidar on influence of Flower and Chandrakant Pandit in MP:
“I worked under Pandit in state team, and he and Andy have a similar way of coaching. I feel I won't have difficulty captaining here under Andy. Tactically I have learned a lot from both of them.”
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Rajat Patidar speaks as RCB captain
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Patidar speaks for the first time in the press conference:
"I really feel good right now. If I talk about my way of captaincy, I'm not very expressive, but it's important I back my players and stand with them. So they feel relaxed and competitive.
It's good to have this group of leaders who can help me with growing personally as well.
It's a great opportunity to learn from one of the best in cricket. (Virat's) experience and ideas will definitely help with this leadership role."
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Andy Flower on what brand of cricket should be expected from RCB
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Responding to what brand of cricket RCB will play in 2025, Andy Flower says:
"The easy answer is to say what we played in the second half of last year, but overall it's about making sure there's good energy and fun. And by fun, I don't mean just laughter and smiles, but enjoying the process of engaging with the team to solve challenges.
There will be a lot of challenges for Rajat, but taking on those challenges, sharing them together, and trying to solve it is what the IPL brings out.
The love for the game has grown between what I saw on my first tour of India. The love for the IPL is something I want for the players to embrace and enjoy. The most exciting times of cricketer's lives, and for me as a coach as well.
That's the environment we want here."
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Bobat explains why Kohli wasn't opted for captaincy
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Asked about alternative options that were considered, Bobat says:
"We felt strongly an Indian captain was preferable. We spoke glowingly about Faf, but primarily because it's an Indian competition on Indian pitches. Someone with the local expertise was important.
We know the fans would have leaned towards Virat, but he doesn't need a title to lead. Leadership is one of his strongest assets. He sets the tone with his energy.
Faf leaned on him, Andy and I lean on him, and I'm sure Rajat will too. He had a lot of energy and excitement for this decision, he was pleased for Rajat. It's brilliant to know he's right behind it."
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Director Mo Bobat provides explanation for process of decision
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Director of cricket for RCB Mo Bobat speaks next:
"Rajat was quite keen to take on captaincy, he proactively spoke to his state about taking on captaincy. Planting those seeds was important for when we ended up.
The difficult decision was about Faf. He was a champion as a player and a leader. Given his age, we had to think about someone who could take us through this auction cycle. Certainly wasn't easy.
Retained three Indians, both Virat and Rajat were credible captaincy options. We spent a lot of time thinking about leadership characteristics. We didn't want to go out and get a captain, we wanted a number of leadership options.
You've got Krunal, Bhuvi, Jitesh with experience, even with Hazlewood, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone. We had quite a few options, spent some time discussing with DK, even speaking with Virat.
(Rajat) was very determined and ambitious about captaincy, and that was important.
Start of a new cycle, start of a new chapter."
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Coach Andy Flower speaks on Rajat Patidar
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Andy Flower speaks:
"Rajat has a calm and simple demeanor, it will serve him really well in the hurly-burly of the tournament. We watched Rajat closely as he captained Madhya Pradesh, we really liked what we saw.
The second thing I will say, he cares about the people around him, who he shares a dressing room with. He will instantly have respect from other people.
Third, he's got a stubbornness, a strength and steeliness. You see it in the way he plays, the bravery he takes on in the game. That will be important in the inevitable ups-and-downs."
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Kohli and Faf speak about RCB's next captain
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: “Rajat, I want to congratulate you, the way you have grown in this franchise, you have made a place in the heart of fans of RCB all over India. This is very well deserved, I tell you that myself and the other team members will be right behind you,” says Virat Kohli.
“Show him absolute support, get right behind him, he will always do what's best for the team, best for the franchise.”
Faf du Plessis also contributes: “I'm officially passing over the baton. It's really special being a captain of RCB. Have a great time as captain, make sure you lean on the leadership. Most importantly, keep whacking those sixes.”
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: RAJAT PATIDAR IS THE NEW RCB CAPTAIN
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: A special video, and Rajat Patidar is officially announced as the next captain for Royal Challengers Bangalore!
Patidar, a modern hero for RCB, takes over from Faf du Plessis, and receives a ceremonial blazer and cap from Andy Flower to signal this new era for RCB cricket.
Virat Kohli's special message for Rajat Patidar now being broadcast.
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: RCB support staff and players expected to be at event
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Along with the coaching and team staff, ground reports suggest that some RCB players will also be present at the event in Bengaluru as the captain is announced soon.
RCB have played their cards very close to the chest ever since the retention event for the IPL 2025, but their plans will come into full focus in just a few minutes.
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Press event set to begin
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Just on the verge of Mo Bobat and Andy Flower announcing the RCB management's decision, which can be followed along on Star Sports and Disney Hotstar.
A preview show just before that.
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: RCB social drops big last-minute hint
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Never one to shy away from engagement, the RCB handle on X has provided ‘one last clue' ahead of the presser in 20 minutes.
A graphic shared by the account promises that the next captain will certainly be an Indian player — not that this dulls the suspense regarding the dilemma by any means…
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Patidar the natural choice heading into the future?
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: One of the cons that would come alongside Kohli being renamed captain is his age: while he is as fit as ever, there could be a time in the near future where he looks to step away from the IPL. Does RCB opt for a younger captain in Rajat Patidar just for the sake of continuity when that day comes?
Patidar will himself be 32 in June this year, and has been long enough by his own standards. But can he take the responsibility to lead names such as Salt, Hazlewood, and Kohli himself?
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: What RCB's director of cricket Mo Bobat said regarding captaincy
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Mo Bobat, who will be at the press conference bearing the news in just about an hour's time, had spoken about the captaincy question ahead of the auction to JioCinema:
“As for the captaincy, there are many rumours, but we haven't made any decisions yet. The only clear decision we've made is not to retain Faf, who has been a great leader. We're grateful for his contributions, but he will go to the auction. We are keeping an open mind about captaincy and will consider it a key aspect of our auction planning.”
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Krunal Pandya another alternative?
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Another player with some solid IPL captaincy experienc is Krunal Pandya, who led LSG a handful of times before making the switch. While the experienced all-rounder is not the best player RCB possess, he is certainly the most versatile, the sort whose presence can ensure a great team balance, and is therefore a shoo-in to be a starting regular.
Similar to Patidar, Krunal also captains Baroda domestically, and has led them to some successful seasons lately. This could make him a quiet dark horse contender as well.
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: How do RCB keep the never-say-die spirit of 2024 alive?
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: It might not have ended with silverware or massive success, but 2024 presented arguably RCB's most memorable season since 2016, as they went 1-7 in their first 8 games of the regular league stage, before roaring back to win every game, in an incredible show of fighting spirit and good cricket under pressure.
While RCB pride themselves on being a great analytics-first unit, trying to find competitive advantages in the fine margins, there is also a lot to be said about momentum and mentality in a concentrated sporting environment such as the IPL. Do RCB go with one of the incumbents for that reason alone?
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: List of past RCB captains
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: RCB have had 7 different captains in the past, but only 5 who have led them in 10 or more matches. While Kevin Pietersen led in six emergency matches in 2009 and Shane Watson in just three games in 2017, RCB were captained by local boys Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble in the early days, before Daniel Vettori took over.
Kohli is by far the most prolific captain in franchise history, however, with 143 games captained between 2011 and 2023, while it took Faf du Plessis only three seasons to move into second place having captained 42 games.
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Other candidates within the team
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: There are other senior players in the RCB unit following their 2025 auction — but not all that many. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has captained SRH a handful of times, and Phil Salt led the England T20I team in Jos Buttler's absence against Australia last year.
Likely, however, that the two frontrunners are the two major candidates, particularly as established RCB players who have history with the team and a rapport with the management and coaching staff.
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Rajat Patidar's record
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Patidar led Madhya Pradesh to the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where his side lost to Shreyas Iyer-led Mumbai. The right-handed batter has been in phenomenal form, hitting spinners for fun.
Rajat Patidar first joined RCB in IPL 2021, where he played just four matches and scored 71 runs. He then once again joined the franchise in 2022 as a replacement for the injured Luvnith Sisodia for INR 20 lakh.
In the 2022 season, Patidar scored 333 runs, with his highest score being 112 not out. This knock came in the Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The right-hander then missed the 2023 season due to an injury. In the last season, Patidar managed 395 runs at an average of 30.38 and a strike rate of 177.13.
He has played 27 matches for RCB in the IPL, scoring 799 runs at an average of 34.74 and a strike rate of 158.85. Patidar forms a vital cog in RCB's top order, and it needs to be seen how he reacts to the added responsibility in the coming season.
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Kohli's record as RCB captain
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Kohli had taken over as RCB's full-time captain in 2013, leading them in 140 matches, winning 66 and losing as many as 70.
The right-hander has so far played 252 matches for RCB in the IPL, scoring 8,004 runs at an average of 38.67 and a strike rate of 131.97. His standout season came in 2016, when he sat atop the leading run-scorers list, donning the Orange Cap at the end of the ninth edition of the league. In 2016, Kohli scored 973 runs in 16 matches, including four centuries. Until 2022, he was also the highest-paid cricketer in IPL.
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar frontrunners
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar are the frontrunners to take over from Faf du Plessis as RCB's new captain. Kohli quit as RCB's captain after leading them for nine seasons between 2013 and 2021. The legendary cricketer hasn't led a cricket team since the start of 2022 but there are multiple reports suggesting he could be back as the RCB captain.
Patidar, on the other hand, was among the prominent cricketers to be retained by the franchise ahead of the mega auction and is currently one of their top Indian batters.
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: When will RCB announce a new captain?
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Royal Challengers Bengaluru's director of cricket Mo Bobat and head coach Andy Flower are set to hold a press conference at 11:30 am today (Thursday, February 13) to announce RCB's new captain.
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Why did RCB release Faf du Plessis?
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Faf du Plessis became RCB captain in 2022 after Virat Kohli decided to quit. The South African batter, among Kohli's favourite cricketers from the opposition team, led the franchise for three years but could not bring an end to their trophy drought. Despite his good performances at the top of the order, RCB were forced to look at other options as du Plessis was not getting any younger. He turned 40 last year and does not play international cricket anymore. Hence, he was released ahead of the mega auction.
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Royal Challengers Bengaluru to name new captain
RCB Captain Announcement IPL 2025 Live Updates: Hello and welcome to the live coverage of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's captaincy announcement. RCB is slated to host a press conference today (Thursday, February 1) to name Faf du Plessis's successor.
