The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have had a diverse array of captains since the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. Here’s a summary of their captains and their performances in their first matches:
RCB Captains and Their First Games
Rahul Dravid (2008)
First Game Result: Lost
Performance: Dravid captained RCB in their inaugural match against the Kolkata Knight Riders, which they lost. His captaincy lasted only one season, with a win percentage of 28.57% after winning 4 out of 14 matches.
Kevin Pietersen (2009)
First Game Result: Lost
Performance: Pietersen took over after Dravid but managed only two wins in six matches before stepping down mid-season, finishing with a win percentage of 33.33%.
Anil Kumble (2009-2010)
First Game Result: Won
Performance: Kumble replaced Pietersen midway through the 2009 season and led RCB to the finals that year. His overall win percentage was the highest among RCB captains at 54.28%, winning 19 out of 35 matches.
Daniel Vettori (2011-2012)
First Game Result: Won
Performance: Vettori led RCB to the finals in 2011, achieving a win percentage of 53.57% over his tenure.
Virat Kohli (2013-2021)
First Game Result: Won
Performance: Kohli became the full-time captain in 2013 and led the team for several seasons, reaching the finals in 2016. He holds the record for most matches as captain, with a win percentage of 46.15%.
Shane Watson (2018)
First Game Result: Lost
Performance: Watson’s brief stint as captain saw him lead RCB in just three matches, with one victory.
Faf Du Plessis (2022)
First Game Result: Won
Performance: Du Plessis has brought stability to RCB’s leadership, maintaining a balanced win-loss record.
Rajat Patidar (2025)
First Game Result: To be determined as he is newly appointed captain for the IPL season starting in 2025.
Performance: Patidar’s leadership comes after Faf du Plessis stepped down, and he faced the challenge of guiding a team that has yet to secure an IPL title despite its strong roster, including star player Virat Kohli. This match marked a significant moment for Patidar, who has previously led Madhya Pradesh to success in domestic tournaments but was yet to captain at the IPL level.
As the IPL progresses, fans will be keen to see how Patidar’s captaincy evolves and whether RCB can finally break their title drought. The franchise has a rich history of talented captains, but the quest for silverware continues to elude them. The excitement surrounding Patidar’s leadership could be the catalyst RCB needs to achieve their long-awaited goal.
