Rajat Patidar, the new captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, recently opened up about a defining moment in his career—receiving the captaincy plaque from none other than Virat Kohli during the Unbox event. Patidar admitted he was overwhelmed and almost “blank” when the moment arrived.
But it was Kohli’s reassuring words—“You deserve it, you earned it”—that instantly settled his nerves and gave him a sense of calm amidst the emotional storm. Virat Kohli, who previously led RCB for over a decade and followed in the footsteps of legends like Rahul Dravid, Daniel Vettori, Shane Watson, and Anil Kumble, has left a lasting legacy in the franchise.
Rajat Patidar’s elevation to the leadership role comes after consistent performances in recent seasons, and the decision to hand him the reins was taken after Faf du Plessis was released by the franchise ahead of the current season.
WATCH – Michael Atherton Pays Glowing Tribute to Virat Kohli After Test Retirement
Reflecting on the transition, Rajat Patidar shared on the RCB Podcast, “That moment with Virat is something I’ll cherish forever. Just the fact that he believed in me was massive. I’ve always looked up to him, and now that I’m leading the side with him by my side, it’s a great opportunity to learn and grow.”
𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐈𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 – 𝐑𝐚𝐣𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐫’𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞 🙌
Rajat reflects on his memorable moment with Virat at #RCBUnbox, shares the perks of captaincy, the thrill of winning in Chennai, and much more, on… pic.twitter.com/xgkfgWe2GQ
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 14, 2025
He further added, “Whenever Virat bats in the nets, I make sure I watch him closely. His presence, ideas, and experience are unmatched. It’s a blessing to have that kind of mentorship as a young captain.”
ALSO READ: Anil Kumble Backs Karun Nair as Ideal No.4 Replacement for Virat Kohli in Test Cricket
With Patidar at the helm and Kohli playing a crucial support role, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have shown renewed vigor and are firmly in contention for a top-two finish on the points table. They are set to face Kolkata Knight Riders in a high-stakes clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, May 17.
