Rajat Patidar is RCB’s IPL 2025 title-winning captain from Indore. Born June 1, 1993, he’s 32, married to Gunjan Patidar, with an estimated net worth of ₹25 crore.
Rajat Patidar is one of Indian cricket’s most compelling success stories. A right-handed top-order batter from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, he went from being unsold at an IPL auction to captaining Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their first-ever IPL title in 2025 — ending an 18-year drought for one of cricket’s most passionate fanbases.
His journey is defined by resilience. He was released, went unsold, returned as a replacement player, and then delivered arguably the greatest knock by an uncapped player in IPL playoff history. That innings — 112 not out off 54 balls in the 2022 Eliminator — announced him to the cricketing world in a way that couldn’t be ignored.
Key Highlights About Rajat Patidar
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rajat Manohar Patidar |
| Date of Birth | June 1, 1993 |
| Age | 32 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Profession | Cricketer |
| Batting Style | Right-handed, Top-order |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm off-break |
| Domestic Team | Madhya Pradesh (2015–present) |
| IPL Team | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2021–present) |
| IPL Salary (2025–26) | ₹11 Crore |
| Net Worth | ~₹25 Crore (est. 2025) |
| Wife | Gunjan Patidar (m. July 7, 2022) |
| Famous For | 112* in IPL 2022 Eliminator; IPL 2025 title-winning captain |
Early Life and Family in Indore
Rajat Patidar was born on June 1, 1993, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh — a city with a rich cricketing culture and a long history of producing talented domestic players. He hails from Sarjapur village near Indore, and the city has remained his home throughout his life. His father runs a business in Indore, and the family comes from a middle-class background.
Cricket found Rajat early. He began playing at the age of eight, initially drawn to the game as a bowler. It was his grandfather who took the decisive step of enrolling him in a cricket academy, recognizing a spark worth nurturing. Over time, the bowling took a backseat as his batting flourished — by the time he was playing at the Under-15 level, it was clear his future lay at the top of the order.
His family’s path to supporting his cricket career wasn’t entirely smooth. Like many families from traditional business backgrounds, they initially urged him toward higher education and the family business. Rajat persisted, and eventually earned their full backing — a support system that he credits as central to his growth as a cricketer.
Education
Rajat completed his schooling at New Digamber Public School (NDPS) in Indore, one of the city’s more reputed institutions. He went on to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree at Guru Vashishtha College, Indore, balancing his studies with an increasingly demanding cricket schedule.
His educational years were spent juggling textbooks and training sessions, a dual commitment that shaped his disciplined approach to the game. While academics were never his primary focus, the structure of college life ran parallel to his rise through Madhya Pradesh’s age-group cricket ranks.
Domestic Cricket: Building the Foundation
Rajat made his first-class debut for Madhya Pradesh in the 2015–16 Ranji Trophy season and quickly signalled his calibre with a half-century on debut. He continued to develop steadily through the domestic circuit, and by the 2018–19 Ranji Trophy season, he had become Madhya Pradesh’s leading run-scorer — amassing 713 runs in eight matches, a performance that put him firmly on the national radar.
His biggest domestic moment came in the 2021–22 Ranji Trophy final against Mumbai. Patidar scored a match-winning century that helped Madhya Pradesh claim the Ranji Trophy title for the first time in 69 years — an emotionally charged victory for the state and a deeply personal milestone for Rajat. That knock, under the most intense domestic pressure, showcased the temperament that would later define his IPL performances.
He was also named in the India Blue squad for the 2019–20 Duleep Trophy, adding another feather to a growing domestic CV. His Ranji contributions alone would have earned him a reputation as a reliable state cricket performer; combined with his T20 exploits, they made him impossible to overlook.
The IPL Journey: From Unsold to Champion Captain
Rajat’s IPL story is the stuff of cricket folklore. RCB signed him for ₹20 lakh ahead of IPL 2021, but after a modest four-game campaign yielding 71 runs, he was released. He then went completely unsold in the IPL 2022 mega auction — a crushing moment for any cricketer.
Fate intervened when RCB brought him in as a mid-season replacement for the injured Luvnith Sisodia, again for ₹20 lakh. What followed was one of the most stunning individual seasons in RCB history. Patidar scored 333 runs at an average of 55.50 and a strike rate of 152.75 across eight matches. The pinnacle came on May 25, 2022, in the Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants: an unbeaten 112 off 54 balls, his century arriving in just 49 deliveries, making him the first uncapped player ever to score a century in the IPL playoffs.
IPL 2023 was cruelly snatched away by an Achilles heel injury that ruled him out of the entire season. He returned for IPL 2024, scoring 395 runs at a strike rate of 177.13 — a comeback that spoke volumes about his mental fortitude. RCB retained him for ₹11 crore ahead of IPL 2025 and named him captain, replacing Faf du Plessis in the leadership role.
The 2025 season was the crowning moment. Under Patidar’s captaincy, RCB defeated the Punjab Kings to win their maiden IPL title, ending 18 years of heartbreak for fans worldwide. The “Ee Sala Cup Namdu” (This Year the Cup is Ours) chant, a long-running RCB mantra, finally came true on his watch.
International Career: Breaking Into the Blue
Rajat’s performances eventually earned him a place in the Indian setup. He made his ODI debut against South Africa on December 21, 2023 — capping 255 in the national squad. His Test debut followed on February 2, 2024, against England in the home series (Test cap 310), making him only the second Madhya Pradesh player to represent India in Tests in recent memory.
His international career remains in its early stages, and his Test numbers from the England series were modest. However, his BCCI Grade C central contract — awarding him ₹1 crore annually — reflects selectors’ continued belief in his potential. With India’s middle-order options always under scrutiny, Patidar’s IPL form and captaincy success keep him firmly in the conversation.
Personal Life: A Private Love Story
Rajat married Gunjan Patidar on July 7, 2022, in a quiet ceremony at Enrise by Sayaji Rau in Indore. The wedding had originally been planned for May 9, 2022, but when RCB called him up as a mid-season replacement — the call that changed his career — he postponed the ceremony without hesitation. It became a telling detail about his priorities and dedication to the game.
The couple keeps their personal life deliberately private. Gunjan does not maintain public social media accounts, and Rajat rarely shares details of their relationship publicly. He occasionally posts couple photographs on his Instagram (where he has over two million followers), but never tags or identifies her. For someone who plays in front of sold-out stadiums, the restraint is conspicuous — and admired.
Net Worth and Earnings
Rajat Patidar’s estimated net worth stands at approximately ₹25 crore as of 2025. The bulk of his earnings come from his IPL contract with RCB — ₹11 crore per season — along with his BCCI central contract (₹1 crore annually) and match fees from international appearances. Brand endorsements and domestic cricket earnings round out his income portfolio.
His financial journey mirrors his cricketing one: from ₹20 lakh as an uncapped replacement player in 2022 to ₹11 crore as captain in 2025 — a 55x jump in IPL salary alone. Despite his success, Patidar is widely noted for his grounded lifestyle. He drives a Hyundai i20 and maintains a low-key personal profile, a contrast to the celebrity treatment that IPL stars often receive.
Final Thoughts
Rajat Patidar’s story is a reminder that talent alone rarely writes the full script. The setbacks — going unsold, missing an entire IPL season to injury, waiting years for an India cap — all fed into the hunger that eventually produced one of cricket’s more remarkable turnarounds.
He is now one of India’s most captivating batting talents: a player equally at home constructing a Ranji Trophy final century or smashing a playoff hundred at a packed stadium. His captaincy of RCB added a new dimension to his profile, showing maturity beyond his years in managing one of cricket’s most high-pressure franchises.
Whether his best cricket is ahead or behind him remains to be seen — but at 32, with an IPL title, a BCCI contract, and an international career still developing, the answer looks promising.
People Also Ask
What is Rajat Patidar best known for?
Rajat Patidar is best known for his unbeaten 112 off 54 balls in the IPL 2022 Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants — the first century by an uncapped player in IPL playoff history. He is also celebrated as the captain who led RCB to their maiden IPL title in 2025.
Which team does Rajat Patidar play for in the IPL?
He plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and has been with the franchise since 2021. He was retained for ₹11 crore ahead of IPL 2025 and named team captain, a role he continues to hold in 2026.
Has Rajat Patidar played for India?
Yes. He made his ODI debut against South Africa in December 2023 and his Test debut against England in February 2024. He holds a BCCI Grade C central contract but is yet to cement a regular place in the national side.
Who is Rajat Patidar’s wife?
Rajat is married to Gunjan Patidar. They wed on July 7, 2022, in Indore, after originally postponing the ceremony when Patidar received his mid-season IPL call-up. The couple maintains a very private personal life.
What is Rajat Patidar’s net worth?
His estimated net worth is around ₹25 crore as of 2025, built primarily through his ₹11 crore IPL contract, BCCI central contract earnings, and brand endorsements.
