The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have taken a bold step by appointing Rajat Patidar as their captain for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. The 31-year-old batter, who has been a crucial part of RCB’s batting lineup in recent years, will take over the leadership after the franchise decided to part ways with former skipper Faf du Plessis.
While Patidar may not be the most experienced leader in IPL history, his appointment marks a new era for RCB, bringing a fresh approach to their title hunt. The Bengaluru-based franchise has been one of the most followed teams in the league but is yet to lift their maiden IPL trophy. However, with a solid squad and Patidar’s leadership, 2025 could be the year RCB finally breaks the curse. Lets have a look at some strong reasons why RCB can win their first-ever IPL title under Patidar’s captaincy.
3 reasons why RCB can win IPL 2025 under the leadership of Rajat Patidar
1) Aggressive and fearless approach
Over the years, successful T20 captains have been aggressive, innovative, and fearless—qualities that define Patidar as a cricketer. Since making his IPL debut in 2021, Patidar has impressed with his ability to take on world-class bowlers without hesitation.
His knock of 112 off 54 balls in the IPL 2022 Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) remains one of the best innings in RCB’s history. The way he dominated the LSG bowlers, taking the attack to Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, and Mohsin Khan, showcased his ability to handle high-pressure situations.
Patidar is not someone who plays for personal milestones—his focus is always on attacking and keeping the scoreboard ticking. As a captain, this fearless mindset will help set the tone for the entire team, ensuring that RCB maintains an aggressive, proactive approach throughout the tournament.
Moreover, his ability to counter both pace and spin with ease makes him a versatile leader, capable of making bold tactical decisions based on match situations.
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2) Fresh leadership bringing a new era for RCB
RCB has been home to some of the biggest names in cricket, with Virat Kohli, Daniel Vettori, and Faf du Plessis taking turns at the helm. However, despite their superstar-led lineups, they have always fallen short of the elusive IPL title.
Patidar’s appointment as captain signals a fresh beginning, one that is built on domestic talent, hunger, and a new tactical approach. While he does not have extensive leadership experience in the IPL, he has already showcased his leadership skills in domestic cricket. He recently led Madhya Pradesh to the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, proving his ability to manage and inspire a team.
Sometimes, a change in leadership brings a much-needed shift in mindset, and Patidar’s captaincy could be the turning point for RCB. His approach to the game is modern, aggressive, and tactical, and he will be eager to prove himself in his first full season as a captain at this level.
RCB have always been an emotionally driven team, with fans passionately supporting the franchise despite its title drought. Patidar, who has been part of the team for multiple seasons, understands this passion well and could channel it into creating a positive, high-energy environment in the dressing room.
3) A well-balanced squad with strong match-winners
One of RCB’s biggest strengths heading into IPL 2025 is their strong squad. Over the years, the franchise has struggled with balance—often relying too heavily on individual performances rather than having a well-rounded team. However, this time around, they seem to have assembled a squad that can challenge for the title.
RCB’s core players include Kohli, Yash Dayal, and Patidar, who were retained ahead of the mega auction. However, their real strength lies in the new additions to the squad, which have provided them with much-needed balance in both the batting and bowling departments.
Liam Livingstone: The English all-rounder is one of the most destructive batters in T20 cricket. His ability to clear boundaries at will makes him a crucial asset in the middle order. He can also contribute with his off-spin and leg-spin, providing an additional bowling option.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: The veteran Indian pacer brings experience and control with the new ball. His ability to swing the ball in the powerplay and deliver pinpoint yorkers at the death makes him a valuable addition to the squad.
Tim David: A proven finisher in T20 cricket, Tim David is known for his explosive batting in the death overs. His ability to accelerate in the final few overs could be a game-changer for RCB.
Nuwan Thushara: The Sri Lankan pacer, often compared to Lasith Malinga due to his slingy action, adds variety to RCB’s bowling attack. His deceptive slower balls and toe-crushing yorkers can be lethal, especially in the death overs.
