Rajat Patidar Named RCB Captain Amid Kohli Speculation

Rajat Patidar has been appointed as the new captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for IPL 2025, surprising many who speculated about Virat Kohli's return to the role. Former players like Mohammad Kaif and Kris Srikkanth suggest that Kohli might have declined the captaincy to focus on his batting, as he remains a vital influence within the team. Patidar, who has shown leadership potential with Madhya Pradesh, is seen as a long-term investment and is expected to benefit from Kohli’s guidance. RCB's Team Director, Mo Bobat, emphasized the team's strategy focused on internal leadership development rather than acquiring external candidates. Kohli has expressed support for Patidar, who faces the challenge of leading RCB to their first IPL title, underscoring a shift towards nurturing future leadership while maintaining Kohli's strategic influence.