Rajat Patidar to Rely on Virat Kohli’s Leadership in IPL 2025

Former India cricketer, Robin Uthappa, has expressed confidence in young cricketer Rajat Patidar’s capability to lead the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the first time in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. According to Uthappa, Patidar will significantly benefit from the leadership skills of cricket stalwart Virat Kohli, who has extensive experience captaining RCB and the Indian national team.

Patidar’s appointment as RCB captain marks a significant milestone in his cricketing career. Previously, he successfully led the Madhya Pradesh team to the finals of the 2024/25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. As he steps into this new role, Uthappa believes the guidance of a seasoned player like Kohli could prove invaluable.

Rajat will not be the only new captain in IPL 2025. Axar Patel is stepping into a full-time leadership role with the Delhi Capitals for the first time. Uthappa has pointed out that Patel may have an easier transition due to his familiarity with his teammates in the Delhi squad, providing him with a potential advantage over Patidar.

RCB’s squad for the upcoming season has seen the addition of several new fast bowlers, including the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Lungi Ngidi, and Nuwan Thushara. The inclusion of these players is expected to strengthen the team’s bowling attack. Robin Uthappa underscores the importance of exploiting the bowlers’ skills effectively, especially when playing at home venues like the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, known for being a batting-friendly ground. The onus will be on the fast bowlers to adapt and make a significant impact.

In discussing Delhi Capitals, Uthappa advised that they should consider utilizing KL Rahul as an opening batsman, emphasizing his capability to hit aggressively against the new ball. Such strategic decisions could potentially enhance Delhi’s prospects in the competition.

As the IPL 2025 season approaches, the debut of these captains and the shifts in team dynamics promise an exciting tournament. Both Rajat Patidar and Axar Patel are set to bring fresh perspectives and energy, challenging seasoned players and leading their respective teams into the future.