Middle-order batter Rajat Patidar was recently appointed the new captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. But the former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif feels that Virat Kohli has played a big role in Patidar’s appointment for the role.
Kohli was considered the frontrunner to lead RCB after the franchise decided not to pick up Faf du Plessis at the auction. However, they went for a younger option in the form of Rajat Patidar, who has been performing well for the franchise in the last few years.
Kaif feels that Kohli has a big say in RCB’s management and has a big influence on the team. He believes that Kohli would have supported Patidar which enabled the latter to become the captain of the team.
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“Virat Kohli is running RCB” – Mohammad Kaif
While speaking in a video posted on his social media account, Mohammad Kaif spoke about the shocking decision to make Rajat Patidar the new captain of RCB. Kaif claimed that Kohli is running RCB even if he is not the captain and is likely to have played a role in Patidar’s appointment as the captain.
“I expected Virat Kohli to become the RCB captain because when they didn’t go for Faf du Plessis, I thought they might have had a conversation with Virat Kohli. Virat Kohli is running RCB even if he is not the captain,” Kaif noted.
“If he asks for a player, the franchise signs him and even backs that player. Since (Rajat) Patidar has become the captain now, I’m sure Kohli would have been involved in the decision-making,” the former India batter added.
Kaif even mentioned that Virat Kohli and RCB have a deeper connection as he brings so much brand value to this franchise. This is the reason why RCB have persisted with him despite having not won the title so far.
“It is a franchise that hasn’t won a trophy in 18 years but it is still going with Kohli. They (Kohli and RCB) have a deeper connection. So, even if they haven’t won any trophy, but went with Kohli as he brings respect and brand value to this team. He even took the team to the final once,” he added.
Why should Rajat Patidar speak only in English? He should’ve been allowed to speak in Hindi in the Press conference.#CricketWithKaif11 #RCBCaptain pic.twitter.com/Y9qFCeN1Iv
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 15, 2025
Mohammad Kaif opens up on Rajat Patidar’s captaincy
Mohammad Kaif was surprised by the decision not to make Virat Kohli the captain of the team but insisted on the team’s strategy of finding a long-term captaincy solution that will be beneficial for the future.
“I’m sure that Kohli might have had a role in making Patidar the captain. I was surprised that he didn’t take the captaincy. They brought in a new captain and it may also mean that they are thinking about the future,” Kaif observed.
Virat Kohli has led RCB previously as well but was unable to take them to a title win. Under his leadership, the franchise made its way to the final in 2016.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli together in RCB
Kaif also stressed upon his wish to bring Rohit Sharma into RCB. He wanted Rohit to come into the auction and lead RCB. He also wanted Rohit and Kohli to open together for RCB.
Kohli might have indicated to the franchise that he wants to consider on his batting and a young captain must lead the franchise who can be a captain for a long time.
“I also wanted Rohit Sharma to put his name in the auction and RCB to pick him. I wanted Rohit to be the captain and open the batting alongside Virat Kohli for RCB. Now, Patidar will have the responsibility of being a captain. Although he is inexperienced but the franchise thinks he can be a future captain.”
Kohli was retained by RCB for INR 21 crore and was the first retention for the franchise. Along with him, Rajat Patidar was also retained by RCB for INR 11 crore.