The Rise of Rajat Patidar and the Role of Virat Kohli
The legendary sports commentator Harsha Bhogle has expressed his admiration for Virat Kohli’s support for Rajat Patidar, especially following Patidar’s appointment as the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This gesture, though seemingly small, was significant and worth noting.
Before the 2025 IPL season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru made the decision to appoint Rajat Patidar as their captain after failing to re-sign Faf du Plessis during the mega auction phase. It is important to note that at the time of his appointment, Patidar was already leading his state team, Madhya Pradesh, in domestic cricket tournaments.
Virat Kohli had previously served as the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore from 2013 to 2021, after which Faf du Plessis took over. Du Plessis continued as captain until the end of the 2024 IPL season.
A New Era for RCB
Under Rajat Patidar’s leadership, Royal Challengers Bengaluru found success with a strong leadership core consisting of head coach Andy Flower, director of cricket Mo Bobat, and batting coach Dinesh Karthik. The team quickly clicked together, resulting in remarkable achievements.
In the 2025 IPL season, RCB finally won their first-ever IPL title after an 18-year wait. They carried this momentum into the 2026 season, reaching the final once again. Patidar also led RCB to the top of the IPL 2026 points table. Although Kohli was no longer the captain, he remained a crucial leader within the dressing room.
Harsha Bhogle, speaking on Cricbuzz, highlighted the importance of Kohli’s support for Patidar. He stated, “Virat Kohli throwing his weight behind Patidar was a big part of RCB’s success.” Bhogle emphasized that if Kohli had been unhappy with Patidar, it could have negatively impacted the team.
Bhogle also appreciated how Kohli publicly supported Patidar during the captaincy announcement video shared by RCB, not just in private but also in front of everyone.
Connections to Mumbai Indians
Although Harsha Bhogle did not directly name any player or team, many fans felt his comments were linked to the situation with Mumbai Indians. Before the 2024 IPL season, Hardik Pandya replaced Rohit Sharma as the captain of Mumbai Indians after returning from Gujarat Titans. Fans reacted strongly to this change, and Hardik faced booing during several matches. Mumbai Indians struggled that season, finishing at the bottom of the table.
In 2025, the team improved slightly, reaching Qualifier 2. However, in the 2026 season, their struggles resurfaced, and they finished near the bottom of the standings. Reports now suggest that Mumbai Indians may reconsider their captaincy plans before the next season.
Kohli’s Consistent Performance
While Rajat Patidar focused on captaincy duties, Virat Kohli continued to lead RCB’s batting unit with consistent performances. In the 2026 IPL season, Kohli scored 600 runs in 15 matches, maintaining his position as RCB’s top run-scorer. His average of 50 and a strike rate of 164 are impressive numbers.
This marks the fourth consecutive IPL season where Kohli has crossed 600 runs, showcasing his consistency at the highest level. As RCB continues their quest for another IPL trophy, Kohli’s experience and support for Patidar remain key factors in the team’s ongoing success.
