Bengaluru: The Chinnaswamy Stadium pulsated with energy on Monday evening as thousands of passionate Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fans gathered for the much-anticipated Unboxing event ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

It was a night of nostalgia, excitement, and a hint of nervous anticipation as the franchise ushered in a new era, headlined by the appointment of Rajat Patidar as RCB’s new captain.

As the sun dipped below the Bengaluru skyline, floodlights bathed the stadium in a warm glow. Then, amidst deafening cheers, emerged Virat Kohli—RCB’s talisman, their beating heart, their eternal icon. Holding the mic, he smiled, soaking in the chants of ‘Kohli, Kohli’ before making the big announcement.

"The guy who is going to come next is the guy who will lead you for a long time. So, give him all the love that you can. He is an amazing talent. He has a great head on his shoulders, and he will do a great job for this amazing franchise and take the team forward. He has got everything that it requires," Kohli declared, his voice resonating through the stands.

With that, Rajat Patidar walked onto the stage, the cheers growing even louder. The Indore-born batsman, who first donned the RCB colours in 2021, was visibly moved as he accepted a commemorative plaque from Kohli. The torch had been passed. The next chapter of RCB’s journey had begun.



RCB's decision to entrust Patidar with the captaincy signalled a bold shift. Having parted ways with experienced names like Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Siraj, and former skipper Faf du Plessis, the franchise is betting big on youth and potential. The retirement of Dinesh Karthik from Indian cricket added to the transformation, leaving the squad looking fresh yet untested.

But if there was any apprehension among the fans, the electrifying atmosphere at the stadium drowned it out. Chants of ‘RCB, RCB’ reverberated through the night as the squad made their way onto the field, waving to their loyal supporters. New faces, familiar veterans, and the promise of a thrilling season ahead—it was a moment that encapsulated hope.

With the Unboxing event setting the tone, RCB now turns its focus to the real challenge—taking on the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2025 opener on March 22.

Will Patidar rise to the occasion and etch his name in RCB’s folklore? Will Kohli’s unwavering faith in him bear fruit? As the countdown to the IPL begins, one thing is certain—Bengaluru’s cricket-crazy faithful will be right behind their new captain, every step of the way.

RCB Squad for IPL 2025:

Virat Kohli (India), Rajat Patidar (India), Yash Dayal (India), Josh Hazlewood (Australia), Phil Salt (England), Jitesh Sharma (India), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (India), Liam Livingstone (England), Rasikh Dar (India), Krunal Pandya (India), Suyash Sharma (India), Jacob Bethell (England), Tim David (Australia), Devdutt Padikkal (India), Romario Shepherd (West Indies), Nuwan Thushara (Sri Lanka), Lungi Ngidi (South Africa), Swapnil Singh (India), Manoj Bhandage (India), Swastik Chikara (India), Abhinandan Singh (India), Mohit Rathee (India).