How did Virat Kohli's words change Rajat Patidar's journey?

New Delhi, May 16 (NationPress) Captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajat Patidar, shared his thoughts on the incredible moment when Virat Kohli entrusted him with the captaincy of the franchise ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Patidar expressed that he was at a loss for words in that moment, but Kohli reassured him by stating, "you deserve it, you earned it".

During an episode of the RCB Podcast, the 31-year-old Patidar reminisced about his journey—going from being overlooked in the 2022 IPL mega auction despite prior commitments from RCB management to now leading a franchise still in pursuit of its first IPL title.

Back in 2022, Patidar was quietly optimistic about being selected during the mega auction. "I received a message before the mega auction for IPL 2022 that I should be ready... that I would be picked. I held on to hope for another chance to play for RCB. However, I wasn't chosen in the auction, and it left me a bit disheartened," Patidar recounted on the RCB Podcast.

"After not being picked, I returned to playing local matches in Indore. Then, I received a call that I was being brought in as a replacement for Luvnith Sisodia, who was injured. To be honest, I was hesitant to join as a replacement because I feared I might not get any playing time. I didn't want to sit on the sidelines. I felt a bit upset initially, but I eventually came to terms with it," he explained.

Fast forward three years, amid discussions about leadership changes, RCB surprised many by appointing Rajat Patidar as captain for IPL 2025.

"I had numerous questions, especially with so many star players in the team. With Virat Kohli being such a significant figure, I wondered how I would manage under him. However, I knew his support was unwavering. This opportunity is a learning experience for me, and I aim to absorb as much knowledge from him as possible. His experience and insights in every role are unmatched—whether it’s batting, as an individual, or as a captain. Having him hand over the captaincy plaque was a truly memorable moment," Patidar shared.

"When he handed it to me, I was unsure how to respond. I held the plaque, looked at him, and thought, ‘What do I do now?’ Then he said, ‘You deserve it, you earned it.’ That really eased my nerves," he recalled.

This season, Patidar has led RCB in 11 matches, securing victory in 8 of them, amassing 239 runs in the middle order while maintaining a composed and calculated approach to leadership. He stepped into IPL 2025 right after guiding Madhya Pradesh to the finals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.