New Delhi: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Virat Kohli expressed his admiration for new franchise captain Rajat Patidar as he extended his wholehearted support to the batter ahead of his debut season as skipper in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Speaking at RCB’s Unbox event at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday, Kohli heaped praise on Patidar.
The former RCB skipper said he believes Patidar has everything that is required to succeed as a leader in the IPL and backed him to lead the franchise in the years to come. Patidar was appointed as RCB’s new captain ahead of the IPL 2025 after the franchise let go of veteran South Africa batter Faf du Plessis, who led them in the last three seasons after Kohli stepped down from captaincy.
“The guy who is going to come next is the guy who’s going to lead you for a long time. So, give him all the love you can. He’s an amazing talent; he’s a great player; we have all seen that. 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,” Kohli said at the RCB Unbox event in Bengaluru.
We’ll all rally behind you in this new chapter of yours as Captain of RCB, Rajat! 🫡
You got this! 🫶 pic.twitter.com/G8J8vLsxlg
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 17, 2025
Kohli remains hopeful that the change in leadership will work in RCB’s favour and that the squad revamp will help them go the distance in IPL 2025. RCB are one of the only three teams along with Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings, who have been part of the IPL since the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2008 but are yet to win their maiden title.
Kohli has been part of the RCB squad right from the inaugural edition in 2008 and is arguably their most prized asset heading into IPL 2025. Kohli, who is the leading run-getter of IPL with over 8,000 runs to his name, was RCB’s top retention ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction as he was retained for a sum of Rs 21 crore, making him one of the highest earners in the league.
Will Virat Kohli continue to open for RCB in IPL 2025?
Kohli has been opening for RCB for the last couple of seasons and has performed well at the top of the order. He had an excellent season in IPL 2024, amassing 741 runs in just 15 matches at an average of over 61 and a strike rate of more than 154 to finish as the top run-getter of the tournament. Kohli formed a prolific opening pair with Du Plessis for RCB and will be looking to continue in the role in IPL 2025.
Kohli might open the batting for RCB with England batter Phil Salt, who is known for his big-hitting prowess or Devdutt Padikkal, who can be used at the top due to the lack of left-handers in teh RCB batting line-up.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Virat Kohli heaped praise on new captain Rajat Patidar and backed him to lead the franchise in the years to come in the IPL. Patidar will be leading RCB in the upcoming IPL 2025. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
