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‘You’ll Have All Our Support’: Virat Kohli Gets Behind RCB New Captain Rajat Patidar

Bhargav Dixit

Rajat Patidar and Virat Kohli have played 27 matches together for RCB. [Source: @onlyprathamesh/X]Rajat Patidar and Virat Kohli have played 27 matches together for RCB. [Source: @onlyprathamesh/X]

A 149-second video featuring former captain Virat Kohli was one of the ways in which Royal Challengers Bengaluru announced Rajat Patidar as their eighth Indian Premier League captain. Kohli, a huge admirer of Patidar, considers the promotion as “well-deserved”.

Considering his long association and attachment with RCB, it was quite fitting for Kohli, who led the franchise as many as 143 times between 2011-2023 in the biggest T20 league around the world, to make the announcement in a video format. Generous with his praise, Kohli acknowledged the growth in Patidar’s game since joining Bengaluru four years ago.

Virat Kohli Lends Support To Rajat Patidar

Kohli, who started by congratulating the 31-year-old player, wished him luck for embarking on a potentially career-changing journey. With Royal Challengers yet to lift an IPL trophy, Rajat Patidar has a golden opportunity to be part of history.

“The way you have grown in this franchise and the way you have performed, you have really made a place in the hearts of all the fans of RCB. They get really excited to see you play. And to tell you that myself and the other team members will be right behind you. And you’ll have all our support to grow into this role,” Kohli said in a video posted by the franchise.

Having made his IPL debut for Bengaluru in 2021, Patidar climbing up the ladder to become their captain is quite an inspiring journey. The fact that Patidar has been named the captain in spite of missing IPL 2023 due to an injury speaks highly about his potential and reputation at RCB.

Having played an ODI and three Tests for India without much returns, Patidar has captained Madhya Pradesh across two different seasons of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. As a T20 captain, Patidar’s average and strike rate of 41.69 and 164.74 respectively are better than his overall numbers in the format.