Rajat Patidar Leads RCB to First IPL Title in 2025
Virat Kohli tried. Faf du Plessis gave his best. Others stepped up too. Yet, it was Rajat Patidar who finally delivered RCB their first-ever IPL title in 2025.
From Doubt to Glory
When Patidar was handed the captaincy at the start of the season, many questioned the decision. Could a 31-year-old, leading a squad packed with veterans, handle the pressure?
However, as the season progressed, Patidar silenced the critics. He not only proved his leadership but also inspired the team to go all the way.
RCB’s Bold Call on Captaincy
Director of Cricket Mo Bobat revealed in an interview with Cricbuzz that Virat Kohli was also considered for the captaincy role. The team even thought of bringing back Faf du Plessis for continuity.
But the management took a bold step. They backed Patidar. Looking back now, that call appears visionary.
Why Not Virat or Faf?
“We could have bought back Faf if we wanted continuity. Another option was Virat, one of the best leaders India has ever had. If we had asked him, I’m sure he would’ve said, ‘Let’s give this a go.’ But we decided otherwise,” Bobat explained.
Instead, RCB saw something in Rajat Patidar. Bobat recalled asking him about leadership during a conversation in Dharamsala. Patidar was surprised but admitted he liked the idea of captaincy.
Virat Kohli’s Support
RCB consulted Virat Kohli while he was on national duty in Ahmedabad. Head coach Andy Flower and Mo Bobat presented the idea to him. Kohli backed the decision immediately.
“Virat has a huge amount of respect for Rajat as a player and as a person,” Bobat said. “He knows Patidar understands the franchise and what it means to be an RCB player. Virat told us, ‘100%, I’m there to help. Let’s give this a go.“
Leadership Group Steps Up
While Patidar was new to captaincy, he wasn’t alone. Virat supported him throughout the campaign, offering advice when needed but allowing Patidar to make his own calls.
Other players also stepped up. Jitesh Sharma formed a close bond with Patidar. Krunal Pandya proved to be a strong leader. Overseas stars like Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, and Tim David added their experience too.
The Result
Together, this leadership group helped Rajat Patidar steer RCB to their first IPL title — ending years of heartbreak for the franchise and its fans.
The post “Virat backed him 100%…”: How Rajat Patidar led RCB to first-ever IPL title in 2025 appeared first on Cricket Country.
