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“Singing In His Farewell Round” – Why RCB Didn’t Appoint Virat Kohli As Captain, Explained by Sanjay Manjrekar

Byadmin

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have always been one of the most followed franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), largely due to the presence of Virat Kohli. When the franchise released former captain Faf du Plessis ahead of IPL 2025, many expected Kohli to return as skipper. However, in a surprising move, RCB appointed Rajat Patidar as their new captain.

Former Indian cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar recently explained the reasoning behind this decision. Speaking on Star Sports, Manjrekar suggested that RCB deliberately avoided putting Kohli back in the leadership role to let him play freely, without added pressure.

Why RCB Didn’t Bring Back Kohli as Captain?

Virat Kohli captained RCB from 2013 to 2021, leading them to an IPL final in 2016. However, the team failed to win a title under his leadership. When Kohli stepped down as captain after IPL 2021, the franchise brought in Faf du Plessis, hoping for a fresh approach.

With Du Plessis no longer part of the squad, Kohli was expected to reclaim the captaincy. But instead, RCB backed Rajat Patidar, a 31-year-old batter with solid domestic cricket credentials.

Sanjay Manjrekar explained the decision, saying:

“I thought RCB took a very good decision. They didn’t want to put pressure on Virat Kohli by giving him the responsibility of captaincy. When someone is in the nothing-to-lose zone, you must have seen reality shows, when someone is out of the race or singing in his farewell round.”

Kohli’s “Nothing-To-Lose” Zone: What Does It Mean?

Manjrekar’s statement hints that Kohli is at a phase in his career where he does not need to prove anything anymore. With over 78 international centuries, numerous IPL records, and a legendary cricketing career, Kohli is now focused on enjoying the game rather than carrying leadership pressure.

This decision aligns with what we have seen in recent IPL seasons, where Kohli played with more freedom, leading to exceptional performances, especially in the 2023 season, where he scored 639 runs at an average of 53.25.

By keeping Kohli out of captaincy, RCB ensures that he can continue performing as a batter without distractions, allowing him to focus purely on scoring runs.

Why Did RCB Choose Rajat Patidar as Captain?

While Kohli’s absence from captaincy was a talking point, the biggest surprise was the appointment of Rajat Patidar as the new leader. The 31-year-old batter has been a crucial part of RCB since 2022, making a name for himself in the IPL with match-winning performances.

Patidar’s Domestic Success

Patidar has proven himself as a dependable leader in domestic cricket. His captaincy record includes leading Madhya Pradesh to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final in 2024, where he scored an unbeaten 81 against Mumbai despite his team falling short.

Additionally, he has led Madhya Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, showcasing his tactical skills and leadership abilities.

Kohli’s Endorsement of Patidar

Despite being a prime candidate for captaincy, Kohli himself backed Patidar and praised the franchise’s decision.

“Patidar has earned the right to be in this position with his consistency and discipline,”

 Kohli said while showing full support for his new skipper.

This endorsement from Kohli further validates RCB’s decision and ensures that the dressing room remains unified under Patidar’s leadership.

The Bigger Picture: What This Means for RCB in IPL 2025?

With Patidar as captain, RCB enters IPL 2025 with a new direction. This move suggests that the franchise is focusing on grooming fresh leadership, possibly planning for a long-term captaincy role beyond just this season.

However, the real test for Patidar will begin immediately as RCB faces a tough opening match against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 22 at Eden Gardens.

📊 RCB’s Strengths Going into IPL 2025

✅ Virat Kohli playing freely without captaincy pressure.
✅ A balanced mix of young and experienced players.
✅ A fresh leadership approach under Patidar.
✅ Strong support from coaching staff and management.

❌ Potential Challenges for RCB

⚠️ Can Patidar handle the pressure of leading an IPL franchise?
⚠️ Will Kohli’s role change under Patidar’s leadership?
⚠️ How will the new team combination work in high-pressure situations?

RCB fans will be hoping that this decision pays off, and the franchise finally breaks its trophy drought in IPL 2025.

Key Takeaways

✅ RCB opted for Patidar as captain to let Kohli play freely.
✅ Sanjay Manjrekar hints Kohli is in a “farewell round” phase.
✅ Patidar’s domestic leadership made him a strong candidate.
✅ Kohli fully supports Patidar’s appointment.
✅ RCB faces defending champions KKR in their opening IPL 2025 match on March 22.

What Next for RCB?

With a new captain at the helm and Kohli in prime batting form, RCB is looking forward to a fresh start in IPL 2025. Whether this decision proves successful or not will be seen as the season unfolds.

For now, RCB fans can only hope that this new approach brings them their long-awaited first IPL trophy! 🏆

Stay tuned for more IPL 2025 updates, match previews, and expert analysis!

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