The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) proved to be a defining season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The team finally ended the wait for the elusive title as Rajat Patidar did what many other legends of the game, including Virat Kohli, couldn't do for the last 17 seasons.
However, when Patidar, the cricketer from Madhya Pradesh, was announced as the captain many had fears that the season like others would be a repeat. But Patidar silenced the doubters and months later after the accomplishment RCB Director of Cricket Mo Bobat revealed the conversation with Kohli before appointing the former as the new leader.
Bobat along with current head coach Andy Flower had a detailed conversation on the subject with Kohli before finalising the decision. “We spoke with Virat and we talked about the fact that Rajat was going to be new to captaincy, he was going to need all of our help. That's the reality,” Bobat told Cricbuzz in an interview.
Kohli assured the management with '100 percent' support from his end, which Bobat described "empowered" Patidar on the field. "And Virat said, 'Look, 100 percent, I'm there to help. It's in all of our interests if Rajat succeeds. Let's give this a go.' So, it's brilliant to have Virat's blessing and his approval because he's an important person and player in our environment.”
“And it was brilliant this year watching Virat support him and be there for him. He empowered him. He let Rajat make his decisions, but he was also on hand with ideas and suggestions on and off,” he added.
Rajat Patidar's performance as captain
Patidar amassed 312 runs from 15 matches in IPL 2025. Previously leading Madhya Pradesh at the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored 428 runs from nine innings at a strike rate of 186.08.
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