RCB’s Director Leaks Reason To Ignore Virat Kohli As Captain For IPL 2025

Since the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) didn’t get their old captain, Faf du Plessis, for the upcoming 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), there was a mystery if Virat Kohli would become the captain of the franchise.

With Kohli himself deciding to leave the role, the expectation was not to see him back in the position. Due to no pressure of the responsibility, Kohli was excellent in the last season and finished as the leading run-getter with 741 runs in 15 innings at an average of 67.45 and a strike rate of 154.69, shouldering on five half-centuries and one century at the best score of unbeaten 113 runs.

RCB named Rajat Patidar as the new captain for IPL 2025

The Play Bold army has named their middle-order batter Rajat Patidar as the new leader of the side for the upcoming edition of the 20-over league. The right-handed batter drilled 395 runs in 13 innings for the franchise at an average of 30.38 and a strike rate of 177.13, thanks to five fifties.

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In the recent 2024/25 season of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Patidar was the second-leading run-getter. He nailed 428 runs in nine innings at an average of 61.14 and a strike rate of 186.08, shouldering on five half-centuries, as he led the side to the runners-up against Mumbai in the final.

When RCB announced their three official retentions in November, the toss-up has always been between Kohli and Patidar. The former wished Patidar all the best for this new chapter.

Mo Bobat and Andy Flower meet Virat Kohli to make the final decision

The director of the RCB side and head coach Andy Flower met Kohli during the third ODI against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. That was when the decision was finalized.

“To choose from, you know, whether we went Indian or overseas was an important discussion point for us. We felt quite strongly that an Indian captain was preferable. That's nothing against any overseas options. Of course, you know, we've talked glowingly about that.” Mo Babat expressed in a statement.

“We looked keenly at an Indian option, primarily because it's an Indian competition on Indian pitches against predominantly Indian players. So somebody, who's got that local knowledge and insight is helpful for us. So, look, lots of options.” RCB’s director of operations addressed this.

“Virat Kohli is always a leader for RCB”- Mo Bobat

In the second leg of the IPL 2021, Kohli stepped down as the captain of the franchise. Faf du Plessis led them in the next three seasons. The other teams have also started to work in the same philosophy. Chennai Super Kings replaced MS Dhoni with Ruturaj Gaikwad, while Hardik Pandya became the new Mumbai Indians’ leader in place of Rohit Sharma.

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“Of course, Virat was an option. You know, that goes without saying, and I know that the fans would have probably leaned towards Virat in the first instance, but we've seen a lot of looks for Rajat. Look, my point on Virat would be that Virat doesn't need a captaincy title to lead. I think leadership, as we've all seen, is one of his strongest instincts.” Mo Bobat highlighted.

“I think it just comes naturally to let me lead regardless. For us, even last year with Faf's captain, we saw every bit of that. He leads as an example, with the back, the volume of runs, and the strike rate that he scored out last year was so impressive and so important for us. He set the tone and leads in the field.” The RCB director concluded.