'Before leading RCB, I wanted state captaincy...': Patidar shares insights on leadership talks
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Synopsis
Rajat Patidar, newly appointed captain of RCB, shares his thoughts on leadership discussions with Mo Bapat, expressing his desire to lead Madhya Pradesh before RCB. He emphasizes a supportive captaincy style and the importance of learning from Virat Kohli.
Key Takeaways
- Rajat Patidar has taken over as RCB captain.
- He expressed the desire to captain Madhya Pradesh first.
- Patidar aims to create a supportive environment for players.
- He values learning from Virat Kohli's experience.
- His performance in IPL 2024 was notable, with 395 runs.
Bengaluru, Feb 13 (NationPress) Newly appointed Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar disclosed his initial reaction when approached about captaining the franchise. He expressed to Director of Cricket Mo Bapat that prior to taking the reins of RCB, he desired the captaincy of the state team, Madhya Pradesh.
Patidar was officially named the team’s captain ahead of IPL 2025 during an event held on Thursday, succeeding Faf du Plessis, who led the squad for three seasons from 2022 to 2024.
Discussing his captaincy approach, Patidar, who was one of RCB's three retained players along with Virat Kohli and Yash Dayal, stated, "In terms of my captaincy style, I tend to be reserved, yet I remain attuned to match situations. It’s crucial for me to support my players, creating an environment that fosters their confidence and relaxation."
"We have a collective of leaders whose experience and insights will undoubtedly assist me in this new leadership position and aid my personal growth as well," he added.
Patidar now joins a prestigious line of past RCB captains, including Rahul Dravid, Shane Watson, Anil Kumble, Kevin Pietersen, Daniel Vettori, Kohli, and Faf du Plessis.
When asked about learning from Kohli's captaincy, Patidar remarked, "It’s an incredible opportunity to gain insights from one of cricket's greats. His experience and ideas will certainly be beneficial in my leadership journey. I've partnered with him extensively, and I know him well."
Patidar recalled his reaction when he was approached about leading the team, noting he sensed either he or Kohli would be at the helm when Mo inquired about his interest in the captaincy.
"Last year, Mo and I discussed the captaincy. He asked if I was interested, and I responded that I would prefer to captain the state team before taking on the RCB role," Patidar shared.
He has previously led Madhya Pradesh in the 2024-25 seasons of both the 20-over Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy.
"I sensed a possibility of being appointed captain from that discussion. Consequently, when I learned either Virat or I could lead the team, I felt elated," he concluded.
Patidar, who joined RCB as an injury replacement in IPL 2021, has accumulated 799 runs in 27 matches at a striking rate of 158.85. His performance in IPL 2024 was particularly notable, scoring 395 runs in 15 matches, including five half-centuries with a strike rate of 177.13.
