Veteran cricketer Virat Kohli has backed Rajat Patidar to do well as the next captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Kohli asked the RCB crowd to show their support for Patidar and claimed that he would lead the team for a long time.
Rajat Patidar was appointed RCB’s captain for IPL 2025 and the middle-order batter will have a huge responsibility on his shoulders. However, Virat Kohli is confident of Patidar’s leadership qualities and feels that he has a “great head on his shoulder”.
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Virat Kohli backs Rajat Patidar as RCB’s new captain
While speaking at the RCB Unbox Event on March 17, Virat Kohli backed his new captain Rajat Patidar, and introduced him to the crowd in his own way. Virat Kohli asked the RCB supporters to shower love for Patidar and claimed that he will do an excellent job for the team.
“The guy who is going to come next, is a guy who will lead you guys for a long time. So give him all the love you can,” the 36-year-old batter said during the event.
“He (Patidar) is an amazing talent. He is a great player, we all know that, but he has got a great head on his shoulders, and he will do a great job for this amazing franchise and take the team forward. He has got everything that’s required,” he added.
Both Kohli and Patidar were in the running to lead RCB in the upcoming season but the team management chose to go for the younger option by keeping an eye on the future. The 31-year-old has been a key player for RCB over the years and has established himself as a mainstay in the side.
Rajat Patidar on being RCB captain
Rajat Patidar also spoke at the event and thanked all the legends who have played for RCB. He expressed his pleasure to lead this team and calls it his dream to lead such a big franchise.
“Legends like Virat (Kohli) bhai, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle have played for RCB. I grew up watching them. From the start, I have loved the franchise a lot. I am happier that I got a new role to lead one of the biggest teams in T20 cricket,” Patidar said.
At one time, RCB’s top order consisted of star batters like Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, and AB de Villiers. The trio made plenty of runs for the franchise but were still unable to take this side to a title win.
Rajat Patidar in IPL
Rajat Patidar has excellent numbers in the IPL having scored 799 runs in 27 matches so far. He has an average of 34.74 and a strike rate of 158.85 in the tournament.
Patidar is known for his prowess against spin bowling in the middle overs. He is an excellent player of spin and has the ability to smash big hits to the slow bowlers in the middle phase of the game.
His role will be key for RCB this year and it remains to be seen how he performs after being a captain of the team. The 31-year-old is likely to bat at No. 4 just like he did last season.
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