As the IPL 2025 season gears up to kick off on March 22nd, all eyes are on Rajat Patidar, the newly appointed captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Patidar steps into big shoes, taking over from Faf du Plessis after the team’s decision to part ways with the seasoned South African.
Known for his strong performances in the middle order, Patidar now faces the challenge of leading a franchise associated with cricket luminaries like Virat Kohli. Just ahead of the season’s opening, cricket analyst Aakash Chopra pointed out that this is a significant chance for Patidar to prove himself as a lasting leader for RCB.
Aakash Chopra has shared some insights into Patidar’s journey, emphasizing that while Patidar has showcased leadership skills at the domestic level by taking Madhya Pradesh to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final, captaining an IPL team is an entirely different ball game. Chopra also raised an intriguing question: Is RCB truly committed to Patidar as a long-term captain, or is this a temporary arrangement?
Chopra remarked on his YouTube channel, “Rajat Patidar has got the biggest opportunity here. What are the expectations from him? He performed admirably for MP, leading them to the finals in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The franchise seems to be planning for the next four to five years, but the question of genuine investment in Patidar remains.”
To add a bit of context, RCB has reached the IPL finals three times, yet they still haven’t clinched the title. Last season, they showcased a remarkable performance by winning seven out of their last eight matches but ultimately fell short against the Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator.
Chopra further elaborated on the pressure Patidar might face, especially with Virat Kohli’s continued presence in the team. Having a player of Kohli’s iconic status around can be advantageous, but Chopra emphasized the importance for Patidar to forge his leadership style instead of consistently wondering how Kohli might handle certain situations.
He expressed, “There’s a rich history of great captains in RCB. It’s essential not to get caught up thinking about Virat Kohli’s potential moves. When you have someone of Kohli’s stature in the squad, it’s easy to look up to him. He led this team many times, so the temptation to consider his approach is there.”
Looking ahead, Chopra believes IPL 2025 could be a seminal year for Patidar. Leading RCB to their first-ever IPL victory would not only be historic but would also solidify Patidar’s reputation as a significant leader in Indian cricket.
Chopra concluded by saying, “The key is to resist the pressure of emulating Kohli’s style. Patidar needs to create his own legacy. Virat Kohli remains a part of the team, but Patidar doesn’t have to lead like him. Opportunities like this can lead to making history. Should he pull off something unprecedented, it would be truly remarkable.”
