Did Virat Kohli Decline RCB Captaincy and Suggest Rajat Patidar? Andy Flower Reveals

Did Virat Kohli Decline RCB Captaincy and Suggest Rajat Patidar: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), on Thursday, ended months of anticipation by naming Rajat Patidar as the franchise's new captain for the upcoming 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). This announcement came contrary to the widespread speculation since the mega auction in November last year that Virat Kohli was all set to return as RCB skipper after the franchise parted ways with Faf du Plessis, who led RCB in the last three seasons. It even initiated rumors on whether Kohli turned down the leadership role and suggested Patidar's name. Head coach Andy Flower cleared the air as he revealed the discussion he had with Kohli.

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After team director Mo Bobat said during the announcement that Kohli, who relinquished the captaincy role after the 2021 season, was a consideration by the team management to lead the side once more, Flower disclosed the content of his discussion with the 36-year-old.

During an event in Bengaluru, the Zimbabwean legend opened up about the "maturity and integrity" shown by Kohli in his discussion concerning RCB captaincy and what he thinks about Patidar as a choice for leadership.

"In our discussions with Virat, I thought the integrity and maturity he showed as a man in our discussions regarding the subject, is what I had expected. I really enjoyed talking with him, one of the things that stood out was the energy and passion that he is looking forward to this IPL with. He obviously likes Rajat, respects Rajat both as a person and a player. I think that relationship will be very important and I think you saw in the video earlier, the authencity with which he spoke. I have a lot of respect for Virat. My experience with him last season, in the first half we were struggling, he was exceptional in changing the fortunes. That experience with him last season only made my respect for him grow," he said.

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The Madhya Pradesh batter will now be the ninth captain for the franchise in IPL, but this will be his first time in such a capacity in the tournament nagas. His earlier time as a captain was during the 2024/25 domestic season, when he captained Madhya Pradesh in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy. Patidar finished second among the highest run-getters in this 20-over tournament, hitting 428 runs at a strike rate of 186.08, which qualified the team as runners-up.

"I had a conversation with Mo last year," Patidar said. "I told him before getting the captaincy of RCB, I want to captain a state team. When they told me about this, that it could be between Virat and Rajat, I was happy. I can't express my reaction."

"I really feel good right now. If I talk about my way of captaincy, I'm not that much expressive, but at the same time, I'm aware of the situation of the matches. So I think for me it's important to back my players and stand with them and give the sort of involvement where they feel relaxed and confident. So yeah, I'm lucky that I am surrounded by one of the best people in the team and we have a group of leaders as well where their experience and ideas will definitely help in my new leadership role and growth as an individual also."

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