Rajat Patidar Captaincy Journey Begins: Can He Lean on Virat Kohli to Lead RCB to IPL 2025 Glory?

Khelo Pakistan Exclusive: As the IPL 2025 season kicks off on March 22 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) facing defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, all eyes are on Rajat Patidar, the franchise’s newly minted captain. Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa, speaking as an IPL expert for JioStar, shared his take with Khelo Pakistan on how Patidar’s leadership will shape RCB’s quest to end their elusive title drought. With this being Patidar’s first stint as an IPL captain, Uthappa believes the 31-year-old will heavily rely on Virat Kohli’s vast leadership experience to navigate the high-pressure tournament.

A Fresh Era for Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Patidar steps into the spotlight after steering Madhya Pradesh to the 2024/25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final, proving his mettle as a leader in domestic cricket. But leading RCB—a team synonymous with passionate fans and sky-high expectations—is a different beast altogether. “Rajat Patidar captaincy will have to contend with Virat Kohli’s superstardom,” Uthappa noted in a virtual chat ahead of the season. “He’ll lean on Virat’s captaincy skills a lot, and that’s not a bad thing. Kohli’s been there, done that—he’s led RCB for over a decade and knows the franchise inside out.”

Comparing Captains: Patidar vs. Axar Patel

Uthappa drew parallels between Patidar and Delhi Capitals’ new full-time captain, Axar Patel, who’s also stepping into a leadership role in IPL 2025. “Axar might have a slight edge because he’s got familiar faces around him in Delhi,” Uthappa said. “But Rajat’s situation isn’t too different—except he’s got Kohli’s larger-than-life presence to manage. That’s both a challenge and a golden opportunity.”

For Patidar, this captaincy gig isn’t just about strategy—it’s about carving his own identity while standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a cricketing icon. “I’m excited for teams like RCB, KKR, and Delhi,” Uthappa added. “New captains bring fresh energy, and for RCB, Rajat Patidar captaincy has a chance to build on Kohli’s legacy while taking the team forward.”

RCB’s Revamped Bowling Attack: A Game-Changer?

RCB’s squad for IPL 2025 looks promising, especially with a bolstered fast-bowling unit. The arrivals of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rasikh Salam, alongside retained stars Yash Dayal and Josh Hazlewood, plus Lungi Ngidi and Nuwan Thushara, signal a shift from RCB’s traditionally batting-heavy approach. Uthappa, a two-time IPL champion with Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, sees this as a critical factor—especially at the batter-friendly M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

“Winning at home is the real test for Rajat and Axar,” Uthappa explained. “Chinnaswamy and Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium are small, high-scoring grounds—no real bowler’s paradise. Rajat’s got to figure out how to defend totals there, and it’s not going to be easy. Teams playing RCB in Bengaluru will have to work hard, but RCB’s bowlers will too.”

He’s optimistic about the personnel, though. “With Bhuvneshwar’s experience, Hazlewood’s precision, Yash Dayal’s pace, and Rasikh Salam’s potential, they’ve got the tools. The key is keeping them fit—no injuries, please! Outside Bangalore, they’ll find it easier, but at home, it’s all about heavy lifting.”

Patidar’s Leadership Style: A Work in Progress

Patidar’s domestic success—leading Madhya Pradesh with a cool head and a knack for clutch performances—offers hope. But IPL is a pressure cooker, and Uthappa believes the transition won’t be seamless. “He’s done well in domestic cricket, no doubt,” he said. “Now it’s about translating that into RCB’s world—big crowds, big expectations, and Virat Kohli watching your every move. He’ll need to define his leadership style fast.”

Will Patidar lean too much on Kohli and lose his own voice? Or will he strike a balance, using Kohli’s mentorship to amplify his own instincts? That’s the million-dollar question as RCB fans gear up for another rollercoaster season.

Delhi Capitals’ X-Factor: KL Rahul at the Top

While RCB fine-tunes its plans, Uthappa had a parting tip for Delhi Capitals: unleash KL Rahul as an opener. “If DC don’t use KL at the top, they’re wasting him,” he insisted. “He’s destructive against the new ball—few can match that. With Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk as options, they’ve got depth, but Rahul’s the key.” It’s a subtle nod to how leadership decisions—like Patidar’s reliance on Kohli—can hinge on getting the batting order right.

Rajat Patidar Captaincy: A Season of New Beginnings

From Khelo Pakistan’s lens, IPL 2025 is shaping up as a season of bold transitions. Rajat Patidar captaincy for RCB, backed by Virat Kohli’s leadership aura and a revamped bowling attack, could finally tip the scales for a franchise that’s been knocking on the trophy door for 17 years. Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates, insights, and predictions—because in cricket, every ball tells a story.

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