'Going To Lead For A Long Time': Virat Kohli Backs Rajat Patidar's New Role As RCB Captain Ahead Of IPL 2025

Indian Premier League: Just days before the start of the Indian Premier League ( IPL ) 2025, talisman Indian batter Virat Kohli extended support to Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) newly appointed captain Rajat Patidar, and said that the 31-year-old will be leading the franchise for a long time. Patidar took over the captain's responsibility from Faf du Plessis, who was not retained by the Bengaluru-based franchise ahead of the IPL 2025 mega-auction. Kohli himself led RCB for more than a decade but stepped down from his role in the 2022 season of the cash-rich tournament.

In IPL 2024, RCB ended their voyage in the play-off after they conceded a four-wicket defeat against Rajasthan Royals . RCB will begin their IPL 2025 campaign on March 22 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens.

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Virat Kohli Heaps Praise On RCB Captain Rajat Patidar

While speaking at the ‘RCB Unbox Event’, Virat Kohli showered praise on Patidar and said that the right-handed batter would do a great job as the leader of the Bengaluru-based franchise in the upcoming season. The 36-year-old added that Patidar has got everything to become a captain.

“This guy is going to lead you for a long time. He is going to do a great job. He has got everything that is required (to succeed),” Kohli said at ‘RCB Unbox Event’ on Monday.

The talisman batter praised RCB's squad for the IPL 2025 and said that there's a lot of talent in the team.

“It feels amazing to be back. The excitement and happiness is like every other season. I have been here for 18 years and absolutely love RCB. We have an amazing squad this time around. Lot of talent in the team. I am personally very excited about this season,” Kohli added.

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Here's What Virat Kohli Said At ‘RCB Unbox Event’

Patidar has played 27 IPL matches, scoring 799 runs at a strike rate of 158.85 in the T20 tournament. In the previous season, the 31-year-old played 15 games and amassed 395 runs at a strike rate of 177.13 and an average of 30.38. On the other hand, Virat Kohli played 252 IPL matches and scored 8007 runs at a strike rate of 131.97. He has been a part of the RCB family since the very first season of the tournament. The 36-year-old also holds the milestone of being the highest run-scorer in the history of IPL.