AB de Villiers feels Patidar’s biggest challenge will be “insecurity, stepping into the big boots of captains like Faf and Kohli”
Shashank Kishore18-Mar-20252:39
Captaincy a test for both Patidar and RCB
Virat Kohli has thrown his weight behind new Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar, whom he thinks will “lead you guys for a long time.” Patidar, one of RCB’s three retentions ahead of last November’s mega-auction, was unveiled as Faf du Plessis’ successor last month.”He [Patidar] is an amazing talent,” Kohli said at RCB Unbox, an event to unveil the team’s 2025 roster in Bengaluru on Monday. “He is a great player, we all know that, but he has got a great head on his shoulders, and he will do a great job for this amazing franchise and take the team forward. He has got everything that’s required.”Patidar, who was initially spoken to for the role after IPL 2024, is a new captain. As a precursor to his RCB job, Patidar was handed the captaincy at Madhya Pradesh, and he led the team to the final of the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy late last year. Patidar’s own contribution during the campaign was stellar – 428 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 186.08. His 27 sixes were the second-most in the tournament.Related
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Patidar, who walked onto the dais amid deafening noise spoke of drawing inspiration from the superstars of the past. “Legends like Virat , AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle have played for RCB. I grew up watching them. From the start, I have loved the franchise a lot. I am happy that I got a new role to lead one of the biggest teams in T20 cricket.”De Villiers, whom Patidar had the opportunity to play with during his maiden season in 2021 as an uncapped player, believes captaincy could be a double-edged sword for the 31-year-old. He also hopes Patidar will be able to develop his own style, and not try and emulate past captains like Kohli or du Plessis.”Patidar’s biggest challenge will be insecurity, stepping into the big boots of captains like Faf and Virat,” de Villiers said during a media session organised by . “Having Virat around and constantly almost doubting yourself – ‘Am I doing the right thing? What would Virat do?’ So that I think will be his biggest obstacle. Use the experience of Virat, use the experience of [head coach] Andy Flower, but always stay true to who you are.”