Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)'s batting star Virat Kohli urged the crowd at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to support newly-appointed captain Rajat Patidar as much as any other skipper they've had. The right-handed batter spoke highly about Patidar's talents and expressed confidence in him to take the team forward.
Kohli had reportedly declined to take the leadership role of the Royal Challengers, with RCB not retaining Faf du Plessis ahead of the auction. Hence, the management decided to appoint Patidar as the skipper and it will be the explosive batter's first foray into captaincy as far as IPL goes.
Virat Kohli on Rajat Patidar, "The Guy gonna come next will lead you for long time. Give him all the Love you can."#RCBUnbox #RCB #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/DrMcLiPSug
— IPL 2025 (@ipl2025official) March 17, 2025
Speaking during the RCB Unbox event, Kohli stated:
"The guy who is going to come next is the guy who is going to lead you for a long time. So, give him all the love you can. He's an amazing talent and a great player as we have all seen that. He also has a great head on his shoulders and he will do a great job and take this amazing franchise forward. He has got everything that's required."
Virat Kohli won the Orange Cap in IPL 2024
Kohli, meanwhile, who is the highest run-getter in the tournament history, also won the Orange Cap last year for aggregating 741 runs and it proved to be the second time in history he achieved that feat.
The Delhi-born cricketer will be further brimming with confidence, given he chipped in with 218 runs in Team India's Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, including tournament-defining knocks against Pakistan and Australia.
The Royal Challengers will be in action against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 22 at the Eden Gardens.