“In fact, Virat was an possibility and that goes with out saying and I do know that the followers would’ve in all probability lent in the direction of Virat within the first occasion, however we have seen numerous love for Rajat too,” Bobat stated in an occasion in Bengaluru the place Patidar was unveiled because the captain for IPL 2025. “Look, my level on Virat can be that Virat does not want a captaincy title to steer. I feel management, as we have all seen, is one in all his strongest instincts. I feel it simply comes naturally to him. He leads regardless.”
Kohli led the RCB franchise from 2013 to 2021 earlier than he stepped down from the position. He led the workforce for 3 matches in 2023 when common captain Faf du Plessis was injured and performed as an Affect Participant.
Bobat was assured that regardless of Kohli not being the designated captain, Patidar would lean on him like his predecessor du Plessis did.
“All people within the nation and everybody on the earth is aware of that Virat’s a pacesetter in each sense of the phrase,” Bobat stated. “Andy [Flower, head coach] and I lean on him rather a lot. Faf has lent on him rather a lot and we’re fairly positive that Rajat will likely be leaning on him too.
“Even final yr with Faf as captain, we noticed each little bit of that. He leads for instance with the bat, the quantity of runs and the strike price that he scored eventually yr was so spectacular and so vital for us. He set the tone, he leads within the area. I can consider two or three particular situations the place he is truly created run-out probabilities and wickets from nothing. Everybody within the area is aware of that they have to be as much as their requirements due to him. He units the tone along with his power. Everybody has seen how a lot he likes a battle and a scrap and the way a lot he needs to be the individual getting us over the road.”
Bobat additionally stated that Kohli was actively concerned in discussions surrounding Patidar being named captain.
“Andy and I spent a while with Virat earlier this week truly in Ahmedabad and it was very nice getting a while with him and speaking issues by with him [about captaincy],” Bobat stated. “And what was so apparent was he had a lot power and pleasure for this determination and this appointment. He is so happy for Rajat, like us. He is aware of how deserving Rajat is of this chance and is true behind him.”
Kohli was entrance and centre of RCB turning their season round in IPL 2024. Having gained only one out of their first eight video games, RCB gained six on the bounce to make a miraculous entry into the playoffs. Whereas they went down within the eliminator, Kohli, with 741 runs in 15 innings, gained the purple cap.
“I feel Virat’s power and motivation and drive is basically one thing particular to behold in a 36-year-old cricketer that is executed the whole lot within the recreation,” Flower stated. “I actually respect him for it and it is nice position modelling for the youthful gamers and youthful abroad gamers to return and work with him as effectively. It was good to observe it from inside the similar dressing room final yr.
“My expertise with him, significantly within the first half of the final season after we had been struggling and he was an enormous a part of turning that season round for us, in the best way that he carried himself in his position modelling of how he works on the day and thinks in regards to the day, that have with him solely made my respect for him develop. And I might say the identical factor about our discussions over the captaincy of RCB coming season.”
Patidar additionally stated that having had loads of good partnerships with Kohli over time, he doesn’t thoughts leaning on him for strategies and that it could assist him in his management position.
“It is an incredible alternative for me to study from probably the greatest,” Patidar stated. “I’ve had numerous partnerships with him, so I feel I do know him very effectively. So yeah, his expertise and his concepts will certainly assist me in my management position.”
Ashish Pant is a sub-editor with ESPNcricinfo
