Full list of 10 IPL captains for 2025 IPL – including new Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel
The Royal Challengers Bangalore have named Rajat Patidar captain for the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League.
Patidar has succeeded former captain Faf du Plessis, who was released by RCB ahead of this year’s IPL.
“There is a calmness to Rajat and that will stand Rajat in good stead, especially in the IPL,” said RCB head coach Andy Flower.
“He is inherently a quiet guy, but he cares about the people around him in the dressing room. As a leader, those qualities are important.”
2025 IPL captains
- Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Delhi Capitals: Axar Patel
- Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill
- Kolkata Knight Riders: Ajinkya Rahane
- Lucknow Super Giants: Rishabh Pant
- Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya
- Punjab Kings: Shreyas Iyer
- Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson
- Royal Challengers Bangalore: Rajat Patidar
- Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins
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Batsman Virat Kohli was their captain before du Plessis. Australian Shane Watson, New Zealander Daniel Vettori and Englishman Kevin Pietersen have also captained RCB. Indians Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble captained RCB previously, too.
“Both Virat and Rajat were credible captaincy options. We didn’t want to go into the auctions with a captaincy option in mind,” added RCB team director Mo Babat.
“We wanted an Indian captain predominantly because this is an Indian competition. Of course, Virat was an option. But Virat does not need a captaincy title to lead. Even last year with Faf as captain, we have seen that.
“We spent some time discussing with Dinesh Karthik, the batting coach. We had multiple conversations with Virat. What struck us about Rajat was that he was very keen on leadership and captaincy.
“Watching Rajat and how he captained and played for Madhya Pradesh, in the domestic circuit, was encouraging. We took inputs from Virat. There was compelling evidence that Rajat was a viable option.”
The Royal Challengers Bangalore have never won the IPL title. The Kolkata Knight Riders are the reigning IPL champions.
The Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals have also never won the IPL title.
The Rajasthan Royals won the inaugural IPL title in 2008. The Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat Titans and Deccan Chargers have won the IPL title once each. The Deccan Chargers franchise has since been dissolved – and effectively became the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Pune Warriors and Gujarat Lions competed in the IPL previously, but also no longer exist.
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