The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have finally put an end to all the speculations regarding their captaincy for the IPL 2025 season. The franchise has named Rajat Patidar as the new skipper, surprising many fans who expected Virat Kohli to return to the leadership role. The decision has sparked a debate among cricket enthusiasts, and RCB’s recruit, Jitesh Sharma, has now made a big revelation about Virat Kohli’s stance on the matter.
Virat Kohli: Jitesh Sharma’s Blunt Revelation
Jitesh Sharma, who was acquired by RCB in the IPL 2025 auction for INR 11 crore, recently appeared on the CricXtasy podcast. During the conversation, he was asked whether he had any prior knowledge of the franchise’s decision. He stated that while he officially got to know about Patidar’s captaincy along with everyone else, he had a strong intuition that Kohli would not take up the role again.
“I got to know about Rajat Patidar becoming the captain when everyone else got to know. But when you have been around the game for a while, you understand the flow of things. Virat bhai did not want to captain the side,” Jitesh revealed.
When asked about the reasons behind Kohli’s reluctance to return as RCB captain, Jitesh admitted that he wasn’t aware of the exact reason but felt that the trend over the last two to three seasons made it clear that Kohli’s captaincy days were behind him.
“I don’t know why he did not want to be captain. I am not on the management side of things; when I am, I will let you know. But he has not been captaining in the last 2-3 years, so it felt that he would not do it this year as well. So, I think Rajat was the best option,” he added.
RCB’s Official Statement on Captaincy
RCB’s team director, Mo Bobat, addressed the captaincy decision and confirmed that Kohli was indeed considered for the leadership role. However, the franchise eventually chose to go with a younger player, possibly with a long-term vision in mind.
RCB’s head coach, Andy Flower, also shared his perspective on the matter, revealing his conversation with Kohli about the leadership role. He praised Kohli’s integrity and professionalism in handling the situation.
“In our discussions with Virat, I thought the integrity and maturity he showed as a man in our discussions regarding the subject were what I had expected. I enjoyed talking with him. One of the things that stood out was the energy and passion that he is looking forward to this IPL with. He likes Rajat and respects Rajat both as a person and a player. I think that relationship will be very important,” Flower said.
Flower further emphasized Kohli’s significant contribution to RCB’s performance last season, recalling how his leadership off the field played a crucial role in the team’s resurgence.
“My experience with him last season, in the first half, we were struggling; he was exceptional in changing the fortunes. That experience with him last season only made my respect for him grow,” he added.
What This Means for RCB in IPL 2025
With Rajat Patidar taking over the captaincy, RCB is looking to build a fresh strategy for the upcoming season. Patidar, known for his aggressive batting style and composed temperament, will have the challenge of leading a team that has long been dependent on the likes of Kohli and Faf du Plessis.
For Kohli, this decision allows him to focus solely on his batting, potentially making him even more dangerous with the bat. Over the years, his performance in the IPL has been phenomenal, and without the added pressure of captaincy, fans expect him to deliver explosive performances in IPL 2025.
Conclusion
While many fans were hoping for a Virat Kohli comeback as RCB’s captain, the decision to hand over the leadership to Rajat Patidar indicates a shift towards a future-focused approach. With Jitesh Sharma’s revelations adding more layers to the story, RCB’s move has become one of the most talked-about topics in the cricketing world. Now, all eyes will be on the franchise as they begin their IPL 2025 campaign with a new captain at the helm.
Stay tuned for more updates on IPL 2025 and all the latest cricketing action!