RCB wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma revealed that Virat Kohli had no intention of returning as captain for IPL 2025. After three seasons under Faf du Plessis, the franchise parted ways with the South African veteran before the 2025 auction.
Despite speculation about Kohli reclaiming the role, RCB chose Rajat Patidar as their new skipper. Virat Kohli had previously led the team in 143 matches before stepping down ahead of the 2022 season. Speaking on the CricXtasy podcast, Jitesh shared his thoughts on RCB’s captaincy decision (via India Today):
“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.”
He further added:
“I don’t know why he did not want to captain. I am not in 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.”
“Rajat is truly worthy of the captaincy role”- Jitesh Sharma
On the same podcast, Jitesh Sharma supported RCB’s choice to name Rajat Patidar as captain and promised to assist him in the upcoming IPL season. Patidar, who has been with RCB since 2021, was instrumental in their playoff qualification last year, scoring 395 runs at an impressive strike rate of nearly 180.
“Rajat definitely deserves the captaincy. He has given his services to RCB for so many years. I have played a lot of cricket with Rajat. I would definitely help him with the captaincy,” Jitesh said.
Patidar captained Madhya Pradesh in the recent SMAT and VHT, finishing as runners-up in SMAT. The 31-year-old was one of RCB’s three retained players alongside Kohli and Yash Dayal. RCB will kick off their 2025 campaign against defending champions KKR in Kolkata on March 22.
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