RCB Captains List: All IPL Seasons

The captaincy history of Royal Challengers Bengaluru is a journey through some of the biggest names in world cricket. From Rahul Dravid in the inaugural season to Rajat Patidar lifting back-to-back trophies in 2025 and 2026, RCB’s leadership story mirrors the franchise’s own arc, from early struggles through the Kohli era of individual brilliance to the ultimate team success of recent seasons.

Seven men have held the role on a permanent basis, with a handful of stand-ins along the way. Each captain brought a different philosophy, and each era is remembered distinctly by the franchise’s famously passionate supporters. Here is the complete account of every RCB captain, season by season.

RCB Captains Season by Season

The Early Years: Dravid to Vettori

Rahul Dravid led RCB in the inaugural 2008 season, but the campaign was a disappointment, with the team winning just four matches. The franchise rebuilt aggressively, and 2009 brought a mid-season change when Kevin Pietersen’s struggles led to Anil Kumble taking over. Kumble’s calm leadership transformed the side, guiding them to the final, where they lost narrowly to Deccan Chargers.

Kumble continued in 2010, reaching the semifinals, before Daniel Vettori took charge in 2011. The New Zealand spinner led RCB to another final in his first season, though Chennai Super Kings proved too strong. It was during Vettori’s tenure that a 22-year-old Virat Kohli first tasted captaincy, standing in for three matches in 2011 when Vettori was injured, and winning two of them.

The Kohli Era: 2013 to 2021

Virat Kohli’s appointment as full-time captain in 2013 began the most significant era in franchise history. For nine seasons, Kohli led RCB with unmatched intensity, and while the trophy eluded them, the team played some of the most exciting cricket the league has seen. The peak came in 2016, when Kohli’s record 973-run season carried RCB to the final, where they fell eight runs short against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The Kohli years brought playoff appearances in 2015, 2016, 2020, and 2021, but also difficult seasons, including wooden-spoon finishes in 2017 and 2019. Kohli stepped down at the end of 2021, having captained 140 matches, the most by any RCB leader. His tenure defined the franchise’s identity even without a title, built on loyalty, passion, and his extraordinary personal performances.

Faf du Plessis and the Transition

Faf du Plessis took over in 2022 and brought immediate stability. The South African led RCB to the playoffs in his first season and again in 2024, with a sixth-place finish in between. Du Plessis was respected for his tactical acumen and calm dressing room presence, bridging the post-Kohli transition and keeping the franchise competitive while the next generation developed.

Rajat Patidar: The Trophy Winner

The appointment of Rajat Patidar ahead of the 2025 season was a bold call, handing the leadership to a relatively young Indian batter rather than an established star. It proved to be a masterstroke. Patidar led RCB to their maiden IPL title in 2025, ending eighteen years of waiting, and then became only the third captain in league history to win back-to-back titles when RCB defeated Gujarat Titans in the 2026 final.

Patidar’s calm, unflustered leadership style drew comparisons to the great captains of the past, and his ability to get the best from senior players like Kohli while trusting young talent marked him as a special leader. Under his captaincy, RCB finally became the complete team their fans had always dreamed of.

Captaincy Records at RCB

Virat Kohli’s 140 matches as RCB captain are the most by any leader in franchise history, and his win tally places him among the league’s most successful skippers despite never lifting the trophy as captain. His win percentage hovered around the mid-forties, respectable but short of the elite mark set by Dhoni and Rohit.

Rajat Patidar’s record is extraordinary by contrast. Two seasons, two titles, a perfect championship record that no other RCB captain can match. While his sample size is smaller, his achievement of back-to-back titles puts him in the company of the league’s all-time great leaders after just two years in the job.

Anil Kumble boasts the best win percentage among the early captains, transforming a struggling side into finalists in 2009. Daniel Vettori’s calm tenure brought another final appearance, while Faf du Plessis stabilized the franchise with two playoff appearances in three seasons. Each captain added something distinct to the franchise’s evolution.

The Captaincy Curse That Was Broken

For years, RCB’s captaincy was described as a poisoned chalice. Talented leaders arrived with big reputations and left without the trophy, and the narrative weighed on every successor. Kohli bore it longest, coming closest in 2016 when his record-breaking batting could not quite carry the team over the line.

Patidar broke the curse by refusing to acknowledge it. His approach was strikingly simple, pick the best team, trust the players, and stay calm. The back-to-back titles did not just end a drought, they rewrote the franchise’s identity, turning the captain’s role from a burden into a privilege.

Who was RCB’s first captain?

Rahul Dravid was Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first captain, leading the team in the inaugural 2008 IPL season. The campaign was difficult, with RCB winning only four of their fourteen matches.

Who captained RCB for the longest time?

Virat Kohli captained RCB for the longest period, leading the team from 2013 to 2021 across nine seasons and 140 matches. He took over as full-time captain after standing in during the 2011 season.

Who is the current RCB captain?

Rajat Patidar is the current RCB captain, appointed ahead of the 2025 season. He led the franchise to its first IPL title in 2025 and then to back-to-back championships with the 2026 triumph.

Which RCB captain won the IPL?

Rajat Patidar is the only RCB captain to win the IPL, lifting the trophy in 2025 and again in 2026. Previous captains including Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori, and Virat Kohli all reached finals but finished as runners-up.

How many captains have RCB had?

Seven players have captained RCB on a permanent basis: Rahul Dravid, Kevin Pietersen, Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori, Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Rajat Patidar. Virat Kohli and Shane Watson also served as stand-in captains for brief periods.