Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Faf du Plessis has extended his congratulations to the team’s newly appointed skipper, Rajat Patidar, ahead of IPL 2025. In a heartfelt video message, the South African cricketer shared some valuable advice and words of encouragement.

RCB officially named Patidar as their new captain during a press conference in Bengaluru on February 13, with head coach Andy Flower and Director of Cricket Mo Bobat present. Du Plessis, who led the team from 2022 to 2024, sent a special message for Patidar, which was played during the event and later shared by RCB on X.

“Hey Rajat, huge congratulations on being appointed the new RCB captain! I’m passing the torch to you, and it’s an honor to have led such a prestigious team. Being the captain of RCB is truly special, not just because of the team but because of our incredible fanbase. Trust me, they’ll always have your back and support you through everything.”

In the second part of the video, Faf du Plessis emphasized that the coaching staff and leadership group would always be available to support Patidar throughout his captaincy journey.

“Don’t forget, you have the full backing of the coaching staff, with their wealth of experience to guide you. They’ll help you settle in and make your journey as captain a successful one. Also, remember you’re surrounded by a strong leadership group, and they’re there to assist and support you when you need it most. Lean on them—they’ll make the tough moments easier.”

He also highlighted that IPL 2025 will mark Patidar’s first season as captain, making it an exciting prospect to see if he can lead RCB to their first-ever IPL title.