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‘ Hi, I Am Your Captain’ Rajat Patidar Opens Up On Leadership Role After Taking Helm As RCB

Poulomi Chakraborty

Rajat Patidar Reflects On Leadership Role (Source: @katyxkohli17/x.com)Rajat Patidar Reflects On Leadership Role (Source: @katyxkohli17/x.com)

The Indian cricket fans are already vibing with the high-voltage IPL thrills as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru unveils their captain on February 13. As Faf du Plessis passed the baton, Rajat Patidar is now ready to lead the team from the front.

Coming as a youngster to the team from being the captain to continue the legacy, Patidar’s journey is nothing short of special. As the captain takes the helm, he shares his thoughts on the role, the future, and many more.

Rajat Patidar On His New Role

It's time for the ‘Rajat Patidar Era’ in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. As the franchise released Faf du Plessis ahead of the auction, they were hunting for a new face for the captaincy role. As fans were anticipating Kohli’s return as the captain, the franchise unveiled Rajat Patidar as their captain, and the youngster is set to lead the team in the upcoming future. Now, RCB’s new captain has reflected on his new role.

“Hi, I am your captain Rajat Patidar. A lot of legends have kept in RCB and I feel honored that they’ve chosen me this year. My way of captaining is slightly different, I am more quiet, and calm. At the same time, I am aware of the situations of what is needed and what is not needed. I don’t express much and I don’t really panic in pressure situations and this is my strength.” Patidar said.

"There are a lot of experienced leaders in the groups of Indians and overseas as well, so i think their inputs will definitely help me in my leadership role. I am very grateful that RCB fans have shown me so much love from the last 3-4 years. I think I am blessed to play for RCB.” he added.

On His Journey With The Franchise

Coming to the IPL arena in 2021, Rajat Patidar was a part of RCB. After being dropped from the squad, he joined the franchise again as an injury replacement and never looked back from there. In that season, he scored 333 runs in 7 innings. After being named the captain, he went to the down memory lane.

"My journey has been very exciting. Some ups and downs as well in between. I will start from 2021 my first year for RCB and I got an opportunity. After that I wasn’t picked in the mega auction, so I was very emotional that time if I would get another chance. And then RCB picked me as a replacement. So I used to think if this has happened, something better will keep happening. I had the belief and I am very thankful for giving me the second opportunity.” Rajat said.

“When I got the second chance, I was very confident that if I can come here, I can go ahead as well. I think its the belief that has taken me here today and after that all situations and scenarios changed.” he added.

Reflecting On The Setbacks

Before the IPL 2023, he faced a huge setback as he missed the entire IPL season due to an injury. But he came back in the next season with a bang and scored 395 runs in 13 innings with 5 exceptional half-centuries. To date, he presented the RCB in 27 matches and scored 799 runs 7 half-centuries, and 1 hundred, While talking about the setback, he reflected on those days.

“In 2023, I suffered an injury and I was away from the game for a year. So there has been a lot of ups and downs in my IPL journey. The way fans supported me throughout, this was a huge moment for me. I felt like I had the fans with me who were supporting me.”

“In 2024, When I came back from injury, it's always tough to come back from an injury but one word I will keep with myself is ‘belief’. I think that belief is my strength everywhere I go. So that and then how we took the team ahead, from a very tough position to qualifying, that was a very happy moment for me.” he added.

"After getting retained this year, it’s a very big thing to be retained. To be among those 3-4 players from an entire squad was a big moment for me. And the role that I got from there of captaincy, I am very happy and I am ready for all the challenges coming ahead. Let’s play bold.” he concluded.

With the new role, Rajat Patidar joined the elite list and became the eighth captain of the franchise. The franchise is yet to lift their maiden IPL trophy and fans are anticipating to have a successful season under Patidar’s captaincy.