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The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) made a significant decision during the 2025 IPL auction, opting not to pursue high-profile captaincy options like KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer. Instead of aggressively bidding for a new captain, RCB chose to retain only three players – Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal – leaving a substantial purse for building the rest of the team. This strategic move allowed RCB to acquire a diverse array of both domestic and international talent, including the likes of Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Krunal Pandya, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. However, the most surprising aspect of this team building was the subsequent appointment of Rajat Patidar as captain, a decision that deviates from the expected path. While Kohli was an obvious choice with his experienced leadership and past successes (including taking RCB to the 2016 IPL final and three playoff appearances), the team management, guided by Director of Cricket Mo Bobat and Head Coach Andy Flower, decided to entrust the captaincy to Patidar.
The decision to appoint Patidar was a carefully considered one, involving extensive discussions with key figures within the RCB setup. Bobat highlighted the thorough process, emphasizing multiple conversations with Kohli, Dinesh Karthik (batting coach), and Patidar himself. These conversations were not simply casual discussions but more formal assessments of Patidar's leadership capabilities and aspirations. Bobat and Flower also closely observed Patidar's captaincy during the Syed Mushtaq Ali competition, noting his performance under pressure as an encouraging sign. Kohli's input was crucial throughout this process, demonstrating his maturity and commitment to the team's success. Bobat described Kohli's active involvement and excitement about the decision, highlighting his unwavering support for Patidar. Kohli's influence extends beyond his role; his intrinsic leadership qualities and guidance remain invaluable to the team.
Flower further emphasized the importance of Kohli's mature and integral role in the decision. He praised Kohli's integrity and leadership qualities, particularly highlighting his crucial role in turning around RCB's performance in the previous season. Flower articulated that different leadership styles can be equally successful and emphasized his adaptability as a coach, aligning his communication style with the captain's personality. He compared the contrasting styles of Kohli and Patidar, acknowledging Kohli's intense energy and drive, even at the age of 36, while recognizing Patidar's active mind and cricket acumen. Flower stressed the importance of Patidar's ability to listen to suggestions, assess the situation, and make independent decisions under pressure, expressing complete confidence in his capability.
The leadership dynamic between Kohli and Patidar is expected to be a unique blend of experienced guidance and emerging leadership. Both former captains, Kohli and Faf du Plessis, conveyed their support and congratulations to Patidar in video messages. Kohli praised Patidar's growth and acknowledged the substantial responsibility involved in captaining RCB. He emphasized Patidar's earned right to the position and encouraged fans to support him unconditionally. Du Plessis, while passing on the baton, underscored the honor of captaining RCB and highlighted the team’s passionate fan base. He advised Patidar to lean on his experienced leadership group for support and to continue his impressive hitting abilities. The emphasis on team unity and collective responsibility underscores RCB’s commitment to fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for their new captain.