Talented middle-order batsman Rajat Patidar says he hopes to lead Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The 31-year-old claimed that he would be happy if the team gave him such an opportunity.
Patidar has been with RCB since IPL 2021 and has become one of the mainstays of the team. The right-hander has developed into a reliable middle-order batsman capable of switching gears at any stage of the innings.
Patidar is regarded as an excellent spin player and he has played for RCB for three consecutive seasons in 2022, 2023 and 2024, so he is also regarded as one of the strong contenders to lead the team in IPL 2025.
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Rajat Patidar expresses desire to lead RCB in IPL 2025
Rajat Patidar will play in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final, which will be played in Bengaluru on December 15 between Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh. Speaking on the eve of the major clash, Patidar was asked about his intentions to lead the RCB.
The right-hander is positive and claims he is happy to lead, but the decision rests with the team's front office. He also thanked Royal Challengers Bangalore for retaining him and showing confidence.
“Of course, if I get a chance to lead RCB, that's what I'm here for, I'll be happy. But it all depends on the franchise. Yes, absolutely. RCB is a big team and I love playing for RCB . So it gives me a lot of confidence that they have retained me,” PTI quoted Patidar as saying.
Apart from Rajat Patidar, the biggest contender for the RCB leadership is Virat Kohli. Patidar was hired by RCB for Rs 11 crore, becoming the second retainer after Kohli, who was hired for Rs 21 crore. Yash Dayal is another player retained by the team for Rs 5 crore.
Rajat Patidar attends SMAT 2024
Rajat Patidar performed brilliantly in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, India's second-largest T20 tournament after the IPL. He has scored 347 runs in nine games so far at an average of 49.57 and a strike rate of 182.63.
He ranks third on the list of the tournament's top scorers. As the captain of the team, Patidar leads his team from the front. He hit 66 off just 29 balls, including 4 fours and 6 sixes, to lead the team into the final.
Rajat Patidar’s IPL number
Rajat Patidar has an impressive IPL record. He has played 27 games so far and has scored 799 runs at an average of 34.73 and a strike rate of 158.84. Recently, he played a key role in RCB's path to the playoffs in IPL 2024, scoring 395 points in 15 games, averaging 30.38 points per game with a strike rate of 177.13.
Patidar's forte has always been spin. He bats well in the middle overs and has the ability to take on spinners in the middle overs, as he has shown in the IPL over the years.
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