Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra showered praise on Rajat Patidar for leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru from the front in the ongoing IPL 2025. Patidar is leading RCB for the first time in his career and he has done a good job in the first four matches.
The right-hander has scored 161 runs in four matches of the tournament at an average of 40.25 and a blistering strike rate of 175. Patidar scored 64 runs off just 32 balls against Mumbai Indians in the last game and also scored a crucial fifty against Chennai Super Kings.
Furthermore, Patidar has been spot on as a leader and he is backing his players to the hilt. The RCB captain had given the last over to Krunal Pandya against MI and the left-arm orthodox spinner was able to defend 18 runs.
“Are there any things they need to look at closely? Not a lot, actually. They are doing really well. The first thing is that Rajat Patidar is doing extremely well as the new Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain. He is managing the team beautifully. He scores runs at a strike rate of 200 when he comes to bat,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“He used to hit only straight earlier, but is also playing the scoop shots now because people have started placing fielders in different places. He is doing all of that and a lot more. In captaincy, he managed with five bowlers. He beat Mumbai in Mumbai with only five bowlers,” he added.
The renowned commentator said Patidar has used his bowlers with guile.
“He is utilizing them very well as to when to bring on Yash Dayal and when to bring on Josh Hazlewood. Spin bowling has been a concern, but Suyash Sharma has bowled well in patches. Krunal Pandya bowled well in the first match and the last match. There is no problem seeing which you would say RCB would have to change that to progress,” Chopra elaborated.
The former KKR player urged RCB to make the most of the home conditions at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, which they haven’t been able to do in the past.
“They have played differently away. The only game that wasn’t good was at home. The one problem for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the past also has been how to make their home a fortress. A general philosophy is that you should win five of seven home games if you want to be a very successful team,” he said.
“Then you get three away wins somewhere or other. They have already won three away. Now they need to win five at home. In my opinion, this is the success mantra for RCB if they have to progress this time and lift the trophy. They will have to make their home a fortress,” Chopra observed.
RCB will host Delhi Capitals on Thursday.
