Kohli on Patidar as RCB captain: 'He will lead this incredible franchise well'

Virat Kohli Backs Rajat Patidar as RCB Captain: "He Will Lead for a Long Time"

Virat Kohli has expressed his full support for Rajat Patidar, the newly appointed captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), believing he has what it takes to "lead you guys for a long time." Patidar, one of RCB's three retentions ahead of the mega-auction last November, was named as Faf du Plessis' successor last month.

"He's an incredible talent," Kohli said at RCB Unbox, an event in Bengaluru unveiling the team's 2025 roster. "We all know he's a great player, but he also has a strong mindset. He will do a great job for this amazing franchise and take the team forward. He has everything it takes to succeed."

A Rising Leader in Indian Cricket

Patidar, who was approached for the role after IPL 2024, is relatively new to captaincy. However, he was given the leadership role for Madhya Pradesh in the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and led them to the final. His individual contributions were outstanding—scoring 428 runs in nine innings at a blistering strike rate of 186.08, with 27 sixes, the second-most in the tournament.

Walking onto the stage to thunderous applause, Patidar shared how he has drawn inspiration from RCB's past superstars. "Legends like Virat bhai, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle have played for RCB. I grew up watching them and have always loved the franchise. I am thrilled to take on this new role and lead one of the biggest teams in T20 cricket."

Challenges and Expectations

Former RCB star AB de Villiers believes Patidar's biggest challenge will be overcoming self-doubt while stepping into the shoes of Kohli and du Plessis. "His biggest obstacle will be dealing with insecurity—constantly wondering, 'Am I doing the right thing? What would Virat do?'" de Villiers noted in a media session organized by JioStar. "He should use the experience of Virat and [head coach] Andy Flower but must also stay true to his own style of leadership."

Why RCB Chose Patidar as Captain

At the captaincy announcement last month, head coach Andy Flower outlined three key reasons for selecting Patidar:

1. Composure Under Pressure: "There's a calmness and simplicity to Rajat that will serve him well in the high-pressure environment of the IPL."
2. Empathy and Leadership: "He may be quiet, but he deeply cares about his teammates, earning their respect and trust—qualities essential for a leader."
3. Determination and Mental Strength: "He has a stubbornness and steeliness that makes him fearless on the field. He takes on challenges with bravery, and that quality will be crucial through the ups and downs of captaincy."

With the backing of Kohli, de Villiers, and Flower, Patidar embarks on a new chapter as RCB captain, looking to guide the franchise toward its elusive IPL title.

Catch the match live updates, highlights, and full match coverage on CricRadio. Get fast, accurate, and ad-free updates throughout the game. Download the CricRadio app from the Play Store to stay connected. You can also get the live scores of cricket series directly on the CricRadio website for real-time coverage.