WATCH: Virat Kohli congratulates Rajat Patidar on becoming captain of RCB; team puts out special video after official announcement

Indian cricket batter Rajat Patidar has been confirmed as the new captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The announcement was made in a special ceremony in Bengaluru on Thursday, with Patidar present with coach Andy Flower, director of cricket Mo Bobat and senior members of RCB’s management. 

Former skipper Virat Kohli was one of the first to congratulate Patidar on becoming the captain of the side. Kohli said, “I am here to inform everyone, like the others will do as well, that Rajat Patidar is going to be the new captain of RCB.”

Watch the video here

𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬! 💌

“Myself and the other team members will be right behind you, Rajat”: Virat Kohli

“The way you have grown in this franchise and the way you have performed, you’ve made a place in the hearts of all RCB fans. This is very well deserved.”… pic.twitter.com/dgjDLm8ZCN

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025

Kohli also added, “I want to congratulate Rajat; I am so happy for you; you have earned it. I have seen how he has evolved, the way he led his state team. I request all the fans go right behind him, sending all the best wishes."

RCB posts special video to announce new captain

The Bengaluru-based unit put out a statement that read, “The next captain of RCB is... Many greats of the game have carved a rich captaincy heritage for RCB, and its now time for this focused, fearless and fierce competitor to lead us to glory! This calmness under pressure and ability to take on challenges, as he’s shown us in the past, will be a game-changer for RCB. Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s hear it for our Spin Basher, the cool and composed Rajat Patidar.”

The next captain of RCB is…

Many greats of the game have carved a rich captaincy heritage for RCB, and it’s now time for this focused, fearless and fierce competitor to lead us to glory! This calmness under pressure and ability to take on challenges, as he’s shown us in the… pic.twitter.com/rPY2AdG1p5

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2025

In the video posted by RCB, former skippers Kevin Pietersen, Daniel Vettori, Virat Kohli, and previous skipper Faf Du Plessis were featured. Each of the stars was seen speaking about what it means to lead RCB and the kind of support the team has. The video ended with an animation of Du Plessis passing on the baton to Patidar as the new captain. 

The 31-year-old is set to succeed Faf Du Plessis, who led the side for the last few years. Virat Kohli was rumoured to be the top favourite for RCB’s captaincy. Late on Wednesday, reports emerged that Patidar has become the top candidate for the job. Once the announcement was made, RCB put out a special video on its social media handle.