Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth believes that star batter Virat Kohli likely opted out of captaining Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2025 to focus on his batting. Kohli previously led RCB in 143 matches, securing 66 wins and facing 70 losses.
From 2022 to 2024, South African veteran Faf du Plessis took charge, guiding the team to the playoffs in two of the three seasons. However, with Faf not retained ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, speculation arose about Kohli reclaiming the captaincy.
Instead, RCB recently appointed middle-order batter Rajat Patidar as their skipper for the 2025 season. Discussing Kohli not being considered for the captaincy, Srikkanth shared on his YouTube channel [as quoted by India Today]:
“I think Virat would have said no to the captaincy. He would have said ‘,I want to focus on batting’. I think all this must have happened in consultation with Virat Kohli.”
“I urge all fans to give him their full support”- Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli endorsed RCB’s decision to name Rajat Patidar as captain for the 2025 IPL season. He praised Patidar’s growth as both a player and a leader in recent years and urged fans to support the team’s new skipper. In a video shared by RCB, Kohli stated [as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo]:
“The way he has led his state team as well and the responsibility that he’s taken and has shown everyone that he has what it takes to lead this amazing franchise and I just wish him all the very best and I would request all the fans to show him absolute support, get right behind him and know that he will always and always do what’s best for the team, what’s best for this franchise.”
He further added:
“The way you have grown in this franchise and the way you have performed, you have really made a place in the hearts of all the fans of RCB all over India and they get really excited to watch you play.”
”I’ve seen Rajat evolve in the last couple of years as a player. He has got the chance to play for India. His game has improved many levels in the last couple of years.”
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