Harbhajan Warns RCB’s Patidar: ‘Leading an IPL Franchise Is Tougher Than Being India Captain'

Harbhajan Warns RCB’s Patidar: The new era of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru will start with IPL 2025, which will see Rajat Patidar taking the reins as captain of the team. Patidar has been appointed skipper after the franchise released Faf du Plessis before the 2025 auction. Although it was speculated that Virat Kohli may return to the leadership role, the legendary batter continues to stay away from the official role.

While Kohli would have played an integral part in the leadership role by his usual help to Patidar with on-field dispatches, the former India spinner believes that it wouldn't be easy for the 31-year-old.

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Harbhajan Singh, an ex-captain sometimes of the Mumbai Indians during his playing days, on the other hand, says that leading an IPL team is "tougher" than captaining Team India.

“For someone like Patidar, it will be a huge challenge. To captain a big team like that, it's not going to be easy to take decisions. Who will play, who will bowl at what point… he hasn't led a side before. People think leading India is the most difficult thing, but I think it's even tougher leading a franchise, because I have done it,” Harbhajan told ESPNCricinfo.

“Patidar has the pressure of expectations because they haven't won a single season. You have to live up to it, and play your own game, too. Everything revolves around Virat Kohli there. He also has to ensure that he has a good season. RCB have appointed Patidar for five seasons, but if this one doesn't go well, we will see where he will stand.”

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Patidar is with the RCB since 2021, and this is his only IPL franchise. He has been important for the side in the years as one of the most important middle-order batters. Last season, Patidar scored 395 runs at an outstanding strike rate of 177, having an overall strike rate of almost 159 in three seasons with the franchise.

An Achilles Heel injury kept him away for the entire season of 2023.

RCB play in season opener

Indeed, the season will begin for the Royal Challengers on March 22 against the Kolkata Knight Riders, both teams bringing in less experienced captains on the pitch: Ajinkya Rahane one of KKR's new recruits in the 2025 auction, will be leading the defending champions.

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