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After the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction concluded, many speculated that Virat Kohli will once again captain Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The franchise did not go all out for captaincy candidates like Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul after releasing Faf du Plessis. However, Kohli did not take up the captaincy role and Rajat Patidar was named captain. Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma who was RCB's most expensive Indian player in the auction said that he learnt about Patidar becoming captain like everyone else. He also revealed that Kohli did not want to captain again.
"I got to know about Rajat Patidar becoming the captain when everyone else got to know. But when you have been around the game for a while, you understand the flow of things. Virat bhai did not want to captain the side," Jitesh told CricXtasy in a podcast.
Jitesh feels that Kohli would not have wanted to captain as he has been away from the role across formats for two to three years. The wicketkeeper also considers Patidar the best option RCB had for the leadership role.
"I don't know why he did not want to captain. I am not in the management side of things; when I am, I will let you know. But he has not been captaining in the last 2-3 years, so it felt that he would not do it this year as well. So, I think Rajat was the best option," he added.
Flower says Kohli respects Patidar as person and a player
Meanwhile, RCB head coach Andy Flower was happy with his discussion with Kohli. He is impressed with how Kohli and the team turned it around after a lacklustre first half to reach playoffs.
"In our discussions with Virat, I thought the integrity and maturity he showed as a man in our discussions regarding the subject, is what I had expected. I really enjoyed talking with him, one of the things that stood out was the energy and passion that he is looking forward to this IPL with. He obviously likes Rajat, respects Rajat both as a person and a player. I think that relationship will be very important and I think you saw in the video earlier, the authencity with which he spoke. I have a lot of respect for Virat. My experience with him last season, in the first half we were struggling, he was exceptional in changing the fortunes. That experience with him last season only made my respect for him grow," the former Zimbabwe wicketkeeper-batter said at an event in Bengaluru.
RCB's opening match
RCB will begin their campaign in the IPL 2025 opener on March 22 against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Patidar will become the eighth captain to lead the franchise since the inaugural edition.
