The captain of Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket, Rajat Patidar has been named Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s new captain for the IPL this season. The franchise announced their new captain after dropping a series of clues via a social media campaign.

RCB director Mo Bobat and the coach Andy Flower addressed a press conference where the new captain was unveiled. Virat Kohli heaped praise on Patidar and said that the new captain will have the 100% backing of his teammates in his new endeavour.

The frontrunners for RCB captaincy for IPL this season included Virat Kohli, Rajat Patider and Krunal Pandya. A report had earlier stated that while Kohli was involved in discussions with the management to fill the leadership vacuum, he was hesitant to take up that role. 

Meanwhile, feedback from senior players and the RCB camp put Patidar in a pole position to be named the captain. RCB’s latest addition Krunal Pandya was also in the fray. The team management was impressed with their credentials as Baroda's skipper. Besides, a TOI report stated that RCB believed that he was very much in the leadership picture.