As the IPL 2025 season kicks off on March 22, the spotlight will be firmly on Rajat Patidar, the newly appointed captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Patidar, who has stepped into the leadership role following the departure of former South African skipper Faf du Plessis, faces the daunting task of leading a franchise with a storied legacy and high expectations, especially with players like Virat Kohli still in the squad.
Rajat Patidar’s Leadership Challenge
Patidar has consistently delivered strong performances in the middle order over the years, but captaincy in the IPL brings a whole new level of pressure. Aakash Chopra, the former Indian cricketer and commentator, highlighted that this is a golden opportunity for Patidar to cement himself as a long-term leader for RCB. Chopra pointed out that while Patidar has demonstrated leadership skills at the domestic level—guiding Madhya Pradesh to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final—captaining an IPL team is an entirely different ballgame.
Chopra raised an important question: Is RCB genuinely investing in Patidar for the long term, or is this a short-term move? He noted, “The biggest opportunity is for Rajat Patidar. What will you expect from him? He did well for MP, took the team to the final in SMAT, and the team looked towards you and said they are planning for the next four to five years. However, do they actually invest that much? That question always remains.”
RCB’s Trophy Drought and Legacy of Captains
Despite reaching three IPL finals, RCB is yet to lift the coveted trophy. Last season, the team made a remarkable comeback, winning seven of their last eight matches, but their journey ended in the Eliminator against the Rajasthan Royals. Chopra emphasized that RCB has a history of strong captains, and Patidar will need to carve out his own path rather than relying on past leadership styles.
“They have a legacy of good captains,” Chopra said. “Don’t think about what Virat Kohli would have done. When a player of such huge stature is part of the team, you look towards him. He has also captained this team for eight overs. So, you suddenly think about what Virat would have done in a particular situation.”
Chopra’s Advice to Patidar: Lead with Confidence
Chopra urged Patidar to lead with his own approach rather than being overshadowed by Kohli’s legacy. He stressed that Patidar must focus on making his own decisions and not constantly wonder how Kohli would have handled certain situations. “There would be a lot of pressure on you if you go with that thinking because you will never chart your own course. It’s important to make your own way. Virat Kohli is a part of that team; you don’t have to captain like Virat Kohli.”
A Defining Moment for Patidar
The IPL 2025 season could be a turning point for Patidar. If he manages to lead RCB to their first-ever IPL title, it would be a historic achievement and solidify his place as one of the most prominent leaders in Indian cricket. “Opportunities for him,” Chopra concluded. “He can actually create history. If he does what has not happened to date—wow.”
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Patidar to see if he can rise to the occasion and finally bring the IPL trophy home for RCB.
