Virat Kohli has expressed full confidence in new Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar, believing that he will “lead for a long time.” Patidar, one of RCB’s key retentions before the IPL 2025 mega auction, was officially announced as Faf du Plessis’ successor last month.
Kohli’s Endorsement of Patidar
“He [Patidar] is an amazing talent,” Kohli said at the RCB Unbox 2025 event in Bengaluru. “He is a great player, but what stands out is his composure. He will do a great job for this franchise and take the team forward. He has everything required to succeed.”
Patidar, who was first considered for the role after IPL 2024, is stepping into a leadership role at RCB for the first time. He recently captained Madhya Pradesh to the final of the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 428 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 186.08, with 27 sixes— the second-most in the tournament.
Patidar’s Perspective on Captaincy
Walking onto the stage to a roaring crowd, Patidar reflected on his journey. “Legends like Virat bhai, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle have played for RCB. I grew up watching them and always loved this franchise. Now, I am honored to lead one of the biggest teams in T20 cricket,” he said.
AB de Villiers on the Challenges Ahead
AB de Villiers, who played alongside Patidar in 2021, highlighted the challenges the new captain may face. Speaking at a media session organized by JioStar, de Villiers pointed out the pressure of stepping into the shoes of past RCB captains like Kohli and du Plessis.
“Patidar’s biggest challenge will be self-doubt—constantly questioning, ‘Am I making the right call? What would Virat do?’ That could be his biggest obstacle. He should use the experience of Virat and coach Andy Flower but stay true to himself,” de Villiers advised.
RCB Coach Andy Flower on Why Patidar Was Chosen
RCB head coach Andy Flower detailed three key reasons for selecting Patidar as captain:
- Calm and Composed Personality – “His simple and composed nature will be crucial in the high-pressure IPL environment.”
- Strong Team Player – “Though he is naturally quiet, he deeply cares for his teammates, which will earn him respect and loyalty.”
- Determined and Fearless Approach – “He has a stubbornness and steeliness about him. He plays bravely, and that attitude will help him handle challenges.”
With RCB still searching for their first IPL title, all eyes will be on Patidar to see if he can lead the team to glory. Will his leadership finally break the franchise’s long-standing title drought? Fans eagerly await the answer.
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