Hosa adhyaya: Batter Rajat Patidar gets RCB baton | Bengaluru News
BENGALURU: Rahul Dravid, Kevin Pietersen, Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori, Virat Kohli, Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis and Rajat Patidar. Idu RCB hosa adhyaya (It’s a new chapter for RCB).
The 31-year-old Patidar on Wednesday received the Royal Challengers Bengaluru leadership baton, making him the eighth and most understated captain among the galaxy of stars who had led the team.
It was strongly believed that Kohli, who relinquished captaincy after the 2021 season, would return to the leadership role. But the RCB management, in consultation with Kohli, decided to repose faith in the MP batter.
Patidar, who made his IPL debut with the Bengaluru team in 2021, has played in three seasons thus far, missing the 2023 season due to an injury. A prolific player known for six-hitting abilities, Patidar is a rookie leader. His first tryst with captaincy began this season when he was named MP’s white-ball captain.
In his message to Patidar, Kohli said, “…To be seen as the guy who will take this franchise forward, I’m sure this is a great honour for you. You’ve earned the right to be in this position and I’m sure you will grow from strength to strength.”
Patidar takes over RCB reins
After Royal Challengers Bengaluru, still bereft of silverware, were knocked out in the Eliminator of the IPL last year — a stirring comeback after a stuttering start in the league stage got them there — the think tank decided on an overhaul.
The franchisee retained only three players — Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar and Yash Dayal — and appeared to have set their sights on the mega auction to replenish stock and, crucially, look for a ‘captaincy candidate’. The Bengaluru franchise’s emphasis on building a squad based on potential and performance rather than reputation, also suggested that they wouldn’t look beyond Kohli for the captain’s role.
But along the line, everything changed. RCB’s think tank led by Andy Flower and Mo Bobat zeroed in on the most unlikely candidate – Rajat Patidar — who on Thursday was officially anointed skipper of the Bengaluru team. Patidar is the eighth player to don the hat and the most understated considering stalwarts such as Rahul Dravid, Kevin Pietersen, Anil Kumble and Kohli had all served as RCB captain. Flower and Bobat insist the process to pick a captain began at the end of last season.
Patidar was sounded out, but doubts persisted since he had no prior experience in leadership roles. But then, he was named captain of Madhya Pradesh’s white-ball team and the RCB team management, which kept a close watch on the 31-yearold’s leadership skills, secured the affirmation they were seeking when Patidar led MP into the title round of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament.
THE KOHLI FACTOR
What changed though? Sources say Kohli, who relinquished captaincy in 2021 after nine years at the helm, was never in contention. Instead, he was consulted extensively on who should take over from Faf du Plessis. Infact in 2021, Kohli had declared it was his “last leg in the IPL as captain” and that he never planned to go back on his decision.
Patidar’s candidature was endorsed by Kohli, Faf and Dinesh Karthik, who joined the franchise as batting coach this season immediately after his retirement.
While Flower, the head coach, was noncommittal when asked pointblank if Kohli had refused an offer to lead, Bobat, the director of cricket, explained, “I know the fans would have probably leant towards Virat in the first instance. But Virat doesn’t need a captain’s title to lead. Leadership is one of his strongest instincts and he leads regardless. Andy and I spent some time with Virat earlier this week in Ahmedabad. He’s pleased for Rajat. It’s brilliant to know that Virat’s on board and he’s right behind him. We’re all certain Rajat’s in safe hands.”
THE RISE OF PATIDAR
When RCB roped in Patidar in 2021, his modest returns of 71 runs in four matches didn’t inspire confidence in the team management and he was promptly relinquished the next season. But an injury to Karnataka’s Luvnith Sisodia, saw the MP batter return to the RCB fold as his replacement.
He made the opportunity count, scoring 333 runs including an unbeaten 112 against Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator to justify the faith reposed in him. Patidar, who missed the 2023 season due to a heel injury, then strength ened his position in the team in the last edition.
“We (Andy Flower & me) felt quite strongly that an Indian captain was preferable,” said Bobat. “Not that we had anything against an overseas player at the helm, but we were keen on an Indian option, primarily because it’s an Indian competition on Indian pitches against predominantly Indian players. So, somebody who’s got that local knowledge and insight is helpful for us.”
PAST CAPTAINS
Rahul Dravid (2008) Kevin Pietersen (2009) Anil Kumble (2009-10) Daniel Vettori (2011-12) Virat Kohli (2011 stand-in; 2013-21) Shane Watson (2017 stand-in) Faf du Plessis (2022-24)
