Royal Challengers Bangalore’s director of cricket, Mo Babat, recently revealed how the team navigated its much-talked-about captaincy decision. According to him, both he and head coach Andy Flower approached Virat Kohli, who was then in Ahmedabad playing for India, to discuss the idea of Rajat Patidar leading the side. Despite the weight of the conversation, Kohli showed no hesitation in backing the move.
Babat recalled that Kohli expressed his approval almost instantly, remarking, “100%, I’m there to help. It’s in all of our interests if Rajat succeeds. Let’s give this a go.” This endorsement from a stalwart like Kohli set the tone for Patidar’s elevation and ensured that the transition carried the support of the team’s most influential figure.
Patidar’s Respect and Readiness
Mo Babat highlighted that one of the main reasons the management considered Patidar was the immense respect he commanded in the dressing room. Patidar had already demonstrated composure on big stages and understood the weight of expectations attached to wearing the RCB jersey. Kohli, who has witnessed Patidar’s growth closely, recognized these qualities and believed his teammate could handle the pressures of captaincy.
By giving his blessing, Kohli not only validated the management’s decision but also positioned himself as a guiding presence in Patidar’s journey. This sign of trust also reflected the evolving culture at RCB, where leadership is shared rather than imposed, creating space for young talents to grow into larger roles.
Kohli’s Guiding Role Through the Season
Babat further elaborated on how Kohli went beyond words and actively contributed to making Patidar’s captaincy effective. Throughout the season, Kohli supported him in subtle yet crucial ways—empowering him to make decisions, stepping back when necessary, and offering tactical inputs when the situation demanded.
Rather than overshadowing the new leader, Kohli ensured that Patidar felt both independent and secure in his role. Babat described it as “brilliant to see Virat empowering Rajat,” which highlighted the senior player’s maturity and investment in the team’s future.
With this dynamic, RCB benefitted not only from fresh leadership but also from the stability of Kohli’s experience. The franchise’s management believes this collaboration was a big factor in their improved performances, demonstrating that a healthy mix of mentorship and trust can steer a team forward.
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