The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have announced Rajat Patidar as their new skipper for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. He will be the eighth player to lead the franchise in the most competitive T20 League in the world. In this blog, we will have a look at all the players who have led RCB since 2008. List of Captains of RCB (2008-2025) Season Players Country 2008 Rahul Dravid India 2009 Kevin Pietersen England 2009-2010 Anil Kumble India 2011-2012 Daniel Vettori New Zealand 2011-2023 Virat Kohli India 2017 Shane Watson Australia 2022-2024 Faf du Plessis South Africa 2025* Rajat Patidar India Rahul Dravid (2008) Image Source: Twitter/X In the inaugural season of Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008, Rahul Dravid, often referred to as the 'The Wall' of cricket, was appointed as the leader. However, the franchise did not perform well under his leadership in that season. In 2008, RCB finished in seventh position after winning just four out of 14 matches. Also Read | 4 Captaincy Options for RR if Sanju Samson Misses IPL 2025 Kevin Pietersen (2009) Image Source: Twitter/X Following the poor season of 2008, the flamboyant English batter, Kevin Pietersen, was roped in by the franchise for USD 1.5 Million and he was straightaway given the leadership role in 2009. However, Pietersen himself stepped down from the captaincy after winning two and losing four matches in 6 games. Anil Kumble (2009-2010) Image Source: AFP The great Indian leg-spinner, also known as 'Jumbo', Anil Kumble, was handed the captaincy after Pietersen left it midway through season in 2009. Under Kumble's captaincy, RCB finished at the third spot in points table, and later went on to secure their spot in the final of IPL 2009 where the lost to the Adam Gilchrist-led Deccan Chargers. Later in 2010, RCB finished at fourth with seven wins and seven defeats. Daniel Vettori (2011-2012) Image Source: AFP Kumble played his last IPL season in 2010, and hence, the franchise had to appoint someone else as their skipper. It was crucial to appoint someone experienced as the skipper and the RCB management decided to go with the Kiwi veteran, Daniel Vettori as their skipper. Vettori changed the fortune of the franchise by making them the table-toppers in 2011's season, and also took the franchise to the final where they lost to CSK. However, the 2012 season of Indian Premier league (IPL) for RCB was not so great as the franchise failed to qualify for the playoffs after finishing at fifth in the points table. CSK's better NRR helped them to go ahead of the RCB in that season. Under his leadership, RCB won 15 out of 28 matches, and he played a very crucial role in team's success. Virat Kohli (2011-2023) Image Source: BCCI Virat Kohli was appointed as the full-time skipper of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2013 after Daniel Vettori played his last IPL match in 2012. He led the franchise in 143 matches out of which 66 ended in the favor of RCB, while 70 ended against them. Under the leadership of Virat Kohli, RCB reached the finals of IPL 2016 where they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Kohli stepped down from the captaincy in 2021, but did lead the side in few matches in 2023 during the absence of du Plessis on the field. Also Read | Shreyas Iyer’s Captaincy Record in IPL Shane Watson (2017) Image Source: BCCI The Australian all-rounder, Shane Watson, was handed the captaincy of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2017, just for a few matches. He captained RCB in three matches and managed to win just one. His short tenure as a captain of RCB is remembered by very few. Faf du Plessis (2022-2024) Image Source: Associated Press After Virat Kohli stepped down as a captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, the South African super star, Faf du Plessis was appointed as a leader of the franchise in IPL 2022. Under the leadership of Faf du Plessis, RCB finished in fourth in the points table in IPL 2022 and later ended their campaign by losing against Rajasthan Royals in the Qualifier 2. The 2023 season of IPL was not so great for RCB as they ended their campaign at sixth, winning seven and losing seven matches. With the same results in 14 matches in IPL 2024, RCB managed secure the playoffs spot, but unfortunately lost to Rajasthan Royals in the eliminator. Under his leadership, RCB won and lost 21 matches each. Rajat Patidar (2025*) Image Source: Associated Press RCB parted ways with Faf du Plessis ahead of the IPL 2025 and there were speculations about Virat Kohli once again taking the reins as skipper of the franchise. However, the management, on 13 February 2025, ended all the speculations by announcing Rajat Patidar as their new skipper. Patidar has been with the franchise for the last four years and he has proved his mettle with the bat. With the new role, Patidar will have to prove his worth as the skipper as well in the upcoming season the way he did for Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25.