Best RCB Captains of All Time: Find Out the Updated List 2025

If you’ve followed the IPL, you know Royal Challengers Bengaluru isn’t just any team—they're a cultural phenomenon. Sure, the trophy cabinet might still be waiting for that elusive IPL title, but let’s be honest: RCB has given us some of the most thrilling moments, passionate fan energy, and unforgettable leaders the league has ever seen. In this ranking, we’re diving into what makes a great RCB captain, looking beyond just numbers. Think win percentage, impact under pressure, and the kind of leadership that shapes a team’s identity. Let's have a look who is the captain of RCB.

Ranking Factors

Tournament Success

A captain's skill in winning big tournaments is an essential marker of his brilliance. Leading in the high-stakes event like the Indian Premier League (IPL) for a big team like RCB is the ultimate test of one's leadership skills.

Leadership Qualities

Leading a player on the field is much more than just winning a game; it’s also dealing with hard tasks like motivating players, handling egos, and keeping calm while a lot is going in he game. A superb captain needs excellent judgment and can afford to make risky tactical decisions without breaking the team morale.

Impact

A captain's contribution to a team should not be measured just by his accomplishments, but by how he changes the team's outlook, attitude, and resilience of the team. The best captains leave behind a legacy for the upcoming players in the future.

List of Best RCB Captains

7. Rahul Dravid (2008)

Matches as Captain: 14
Wins: 4
Win Percentage: 28.57%
Rahul Dravid led RCB in their inaugural season but struggled with results as the team finished seventh on the points table. However, Dravid’s role in laying the foundation for future leaders cannot be ignored.
Why #7? Despite poor results, Dravid’s contribution to building the team remains significant.

6. Shane Watson (2017)

Matches as Captain: 3
Wins: 1
Win Percentage: 33.33%
Shane Watson captained RCB for a short period when Virat Kohli was injured during IPL 2017. His stint was too brief to leave a significant impact on the team’s fortunes.
Why #6? A short tenure with minimal influence on results.

5. Kevin Pietersen (2009)

Matches as Captain: 6
Wins: 2
Win Percentage: 33.33%
Kevin Pietersen captained RCB briefly during IPL 2009 before handing over the reins to Anil Kumble. While his impact was limited, Pietersen’s aggressive approach added flair to the team during its formative years.
Why #5? Limited opportunities, but still contributed to shaping RCB’s early identity.

4. Faf du Plessis (2022–2024)

Matches as Captain: 38
Wins: 18
Win Percentage: 47.36%
Key Achievements: Established consistency during his tenure.
Faf du Plessis brought a wealth of experience to RCB, leading from the front with his batting performances. Although he couldn’t secure an IPL title, his leadership helped maintain team cohesion and competitiveness. Du Plessis is the one who is the captain of RCB in 2024 when the team won a nail-biting thriller against CSK to qualify for the playoffs.
Why #4? Faf’s steady hand at leadership earns him a respectable spot on this list.

3. Virat Kohli (2011–2021)

Matches as Captain: 143
Wins: 66
Win Percentage: 48.56%
Key Achievements: Took RCB to the IPL final in 2016.
Let’s be real—when you think of RCB, one name instantly comes to mind: Virat Kohli. He’s not just their longest-serving captain; he’s the face, the fire, and the soul of the franchise. From 2011 to 2021, Kohli led RCB through thick and thin, wearing his passion on his sleeve every single game.

Now, if you’re just crunching numbers, his win percentage might not top the charts like Kumble or Vettori. But here’s the thing—Kohli brought something else to the table. He brought belief. He led with heart, intensity, and that signature aggression that made you want to watch every match, win or lose.

Who could forget the 2016 season? Kohli was on another level—scoring for fun, inspiring the team, and taking RCB all the way to the final. That year felt like it was written in the stars… until it wasn’t. But even in that loss, the fight he showed left a mark.

Kohli didn’t just captain a team; he carried a fanbase, a legacy, and the weight of expectations season after season. Trophy or no trophy, his leadership helped shape RCB’s identity—and that’s something numbers can’t always measure. Although Patidar is the current captain but Kohli is still the one who is the captain of RCB when it comes to the senior leadership roles.
Why #3? Kohli’s longevity and influence on the team’s culture makes him a standout leader despite mixed results.

2. Daniel Vettori (2011–2012)

Matches as Captain: 28
Wins: 14
Win Percentage: 53.57%
Key Achievements: Guided RCB to the playoffs in 2011.
If Virat was the fire, Daniel Vettori was the calm breeze RCB didn’t know it needed.

During his time as captain in 2011 and 2012, Vettori brought a sense of quiet control to the chaos. No theatrics, no chest-thumping—just pure cricketing sense and the ability to keep a dressing room full of big names moving in the same direction.

He wasn’t the loudest voice in the room, but the players listened. And more importantly, they respected him. Vettori had this rare ability to make stars feel like part of a system, not bigger than it. That balance of ego and unity, flair and discipline, helped RCB maintain their edge during his time at the helm.

He didn’t take the team to a final or break records as a captain. But what he did bring was structure, belief, and a dressing room that felt like a team. And when you’re dealing with a franchise like RCB, that’s half the battle.

Vettori’s captaincy might not grab headlines, but it deserves a quiet round of applause. Because sometimes, the best leaders aren’t the loudest—they’re the ones who just get the job done, no fuss.
Why #2? Vettori’s strategic mindset and consistent results place him just behind Kumble.

1. Anil Kumble (2009–2010)

Matches as Captain: 35
Wins: 19
Win Percentage: 54.28%
Key Achievements: Led RCB to the IPL final in 2009.
When RCB needed a leader to steady the ship and steer them out of a forgettable debut season, Anil Kumble didn’t just step up—he took over.

There was something about Kumble’s presence. He didn’t need to say much—his reputation, discipline, and deep tactical brain did all the talking. And suddenly, RCB looked different. Sharper! Smarter! More dangerous! In 2009, under his leadership, they made an incredible run to the final, flipping the narrative of a franchise many had already written off.

Kumble brought a winning mentality with him. He didn’t tolerate mediocrity, and it showed in the way the team carried themselves on the field. Whether it was making bold bowling changes or outsmarting opposition captains, his strategies often felt three steps ahead. RCB didn’t just compete under him—they believed they could win.

He may have only captained for two seasons, but his impact was long-lasting. He wasn’t just a good captain—he was the one who set the standard. The one who showed RCB what leadership could actually look like.

If there’s one word to sum up Anil Kumble’s time at the helm, it’s this: transformational.
Why #1? Kumble combined a high win percentage with exceptional leadership qualities, making him the most effective captain in RCB’s history.

Honorable Mention: Rajat Patidar (2025)

Rajat Patidar is the one who is the captain of RCB for in 2025 and has done well so far. RCB have managed to win four out of six matches under his leadership. He has looked calm during tense situations and his plans have worked well for the team. Before the season, Virat Kohli had already made it clear that Patidar will lead the team for several years to come and the statement seems likely to be true.