Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar have emerged as the leading candidates for the role of RCB captain for IPL 2025.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, two sides chasing their first IPL title, will square off in a tantalising Qualifier 1 encounter on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Rajat Patidar starred for RCB with a quickfire half-century, while Phil Salt and Tim David provided the fireworks.
'We missed out on Ravichandran Ashwin, but we have a strong pace attack.'
Virat Kohli may reclaim the RCB captaincy in IPL 2025.
Though Kohli had an exciting challenge ahead of him in the five-Test series in England, the end seemed near for India's most successful Test captain.
The JioStar expert also analysed KKR's buys at the auction, saying that getting NZ all-rounder Rachin Ravindra at base price was smart and there is "serious batting power" in the squad.
Virat Kohli notably stayed away from the team huddle during the final timeout -- fueling further speculation about a rift in the leadership group.
He amassed 395 runs in IPL 2024 and this breakout season earned him a lucrative Rs 11 crore (Rs 110 million) contract, making him one of three players RCB retained alongside Virat Kohli and Yash Dayal.
IMAGES from the IPL match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Mullanpur on Sunday
Delhi Capitals are still in the race for the play-off along with Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants.
Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer has stated that he is prepared to lead the team in IPL 2025, despite having no previous captaincy experience.
Magnificent fifties by openers Virat Kohli and Phil Salt guided RCB to a comfortable seven-wicket win over defending champions KKR.
Rajat Patidar's name is doing rounds within RCB circles as their prospective captain for IPL 2025.
Axar Patel's inclusive captaincy style has played a massive role in Delhi Capitals blazing start to this IPL season, reckons the team's assistant coach Matthew Mott.
This year, Rajat led RCB to their maiden IPL title in 18 years and recently was crucial to the Central Zone's Duleep Trophy triumph for the first time since 2014-15.
Bobat backed the rule change that allowed the use of a second ball after the 10th over of the second innings in evening IPL matches.
'I think we are going to see him at Punjab Kings'
A wave of high-profile player releases, including four prominent captains -- Shreyas Iyer, K L Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Faf du Plessis -- has reshaped the landscape of the league.
IPL 2025: RCB skipper Rajat Patidar recovering from finger injury
Mahendra Singh Dhoni warmly hugged Virat Kohli before they shared a brief yet heartfelt conversation.
Suresh Raina has thrown his weight behind RCB, saying this could finally be the season they break their title drought - and that Virat Kohli might lift the trophy after 18 years of waiting.
Shubman Gill is having a tough initiation into Gujarat Titans captaincy, but senior batter David Miller backed him, saying the 24-year-old is increasingly "adjusting" to the role.
Punjab Kings have been setting themselves up to win the Indian Premier League and not settle for third place, asserted bowling coach James Hopes.
'I am not a Shubman Gill hater but I feel Ruturaj is a better option because he has scored runs in tougher situations.'
De Villiers had been a big part of RCB family before he retired from all forms of cricket last year.
Shubman Gill is the flavour of the season after his stupendous show in the recent Test series against England but he will face a contender in Axar Patel for vice-captaincy
Gibbs said leadership develops with time, and Gill possesses the composure to grow into the role.
Virat Kohli's run drought in the Indian Premier League is not due to any technical issue and a big knock is imminent from the star batsman, Royal Challengers Bangalore coach Mike Hesson said.
Despite being troubled by a few injuries, Mandhana is happy with the squad at her disposal.
Virat Kohli's decision to quit Royal Challengers Bangalore captaincy after the ongoing season had no impact on the team's performance against Kolkata Knight Riders, asserted head coach Mike Hesson.
The spotlight was firmly on the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai as captains from all ten IPL franchises gathered for the official pre-season meet ahead of IPL 2025 on Thursday.
Ravindra Jadeja and Mahendra Singh Dhoni infused life in the match. However, with Dhoni run out during the final moments of the match, India fell short of the target and was bundled out for 221 in 49.3 overs.
From the lad with spiked hair lifting the U19 World Cup to the statesman in whites scoring one final ton -- Virat Kohli's journey is one of relentless ambition, transformation, and enduring legacy.
Conversation should have been behind closed doors
While Gaikwad played through pain against Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings, the CSK medical team could only get his MRI done after the swelling subsided.
Following his official announcement as CSK's skipper, Gaikwad admitted that Dhoni had given him a subtle hint about a change in the team's leadership last season.
Australia's Luke Williams will take over as the head coach of the Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the second season of the Women's Premier League.
Rohit Sharma has managed just 38 runs in four matches at an average of 9.50 in IPL 2025.
Virat Kohli has expressed his full support for Rajat Patidar as the new captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), praising Patidar's consistency and discipline.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances