Rajat Patidar: From Unsold to RCB Captaincy Glory

As IPL 2026 commences, all eyes are on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar. Hailing from Indore, Patidar brings a composed leadership style to the franchise, having previously led Madhya Pradesh to a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final. This achievement solidified his credentials, leading RCB to select him as captain over more high-profile players.

Patidar's cricketing path was not always smooth. He remained unsold during the IPL 2022 mega auction, a moment of significant disappointment. However, an opportunity arose when RCB signed him as a replacement player. His explosive playoff century against the Lucknow Super Giants that season brought him into the spotlight, transforming him from a ₹20 lakh buy to a retained player. On February 13, 2025, RCB officially announced him as captain, trusting his team influence over market hype.

His career resilience was further tested by an injury in 2023 that caused him to miss the IPL season, but he made a strong comeback in 2024. Patidar's personal life is characterized by privacy, mirroring his patient batting style. He is married to Gunjan Patidar, who prefers to remain out of the public eye, offering quiet support. His father, Manohar Patidar, a businessman in the timber trade, instilled discipline and supported Rajat's decision to pursue cricket over engineering.