Virat Kohli has been a part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL franchise since it's inception. He has also led the side from 2013 to 2021. Unfortunately, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru still remain one of the few franchises to win an IPL crown.

Kris Srikkanth believes Virat Kohli himself would have opted out of RCB captaincy, prioritising his batting. He backs Rajat Patidar's appointment, highlighting reduced expectations and a fresh leadership approach ahead of the IPL 2025 season.

Rajat Patidar was one of the contenders for the captaincy spot as Virat Kohli too was considered as an option to lead RCB in IPL 2025 Despite speculations and rumours that Virat Kohli would return to helm as the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru for IPL 2025,

Its time for the announcement. The event has started. Rajat Patidar is the new RCB captain for IPL 2025. He gets the blue blazer and red cap as the captain of the RCB. Andy Flower, Mo Bobat and Menon on stage alongside Patidar.

Soon after the announcement, RCB released a video of Virat Kohli congratulating Rajat Patidar and pledging his support to the 31-year-old.

Virat Kohli congratulated Rajat Patidar on being named RCB's new captain ahead of IPL 2025, assuring Patidar of full team support and urged fans to rally behind him for the upcoming season.

Check out how Rajat Patidar will captain Royal Challengers Bengaluru for IPL 2025, taking over after Virat Kohli declined the captaincy, only on Crictracker.

Once the much-awaited announcement of the new RCB captain was done, Virat Kohli had a special message for Rajat Patidar.

As the IPL 2025 season draws near, RCB continue their search for a captain. Could Virat Kohli make a return to the leadership role? Here's everything we know so far.

Rajat Patidar was named as the new Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain for this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) on Thursday, succeeding South African Faf du Plessis in the role.