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Mohammed Kaif is surprised that Royal Challengers Bengaluru chose Rajat Patidar as skipper over Virat Kohli for IPL 2025, despite Kohli’s massive influence within the franchise.
RCB’s decision to give captaincy to Rajat Patidar instead of Virat Kohli surprised Mohammed Kaif. (Image: Sportzpics)
The former Indian cricketer, Mohammed Kaif, shared his thoughts on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru appointing Rajat Patidar as their new skipper ahead of the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League. The former Indian international was surprised by the franchise’s decision considering Virat Kohli and his long-standing relationship with the team.
Kaif, played in the IPL for three seasons from 2008-2012 where he represented three franchises in the process. He played for the Rajasthan Royals along with the Kings XI Punjab (now renamed Punjab Kings) and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (now renamed Royal Challengers Bengaluru) respectively.
In a video uploaded on X (formerly known as Twitter), Kaif revealed that he hoped to see Kohli back as the captain. But with Patidar taking up the role, the former cricketer suggested that Kohli would have a big influence in the franchise including the appointment of Patidar as the captain.
“I thought that Virat Kohli would be the guy since they decided not to keep Faf du Plessis. I thought Virat Kohli might have had some conversations. See the thing is the team is being run by Virat Kohli. Even if he is not the captain, it’s on him as the team has to go for the players that he wants or plans to back. If Patidar is the captain, then for sure Kohli will have had a hand in that as well,” Kaif shared.
“That franchise has not won a trophy in 18 years, but still Kohli has been with them for so many years. Without the trophy as well, he has built a lot of influence and respect and the brand value,” he added.
Kaif also suggested that his former franchise could be looking at Patidar as a captain for the long haul as Kohli is no longer in his prime years which could allow the veteran to focus on his contributions with the bat and on the field.
“I was a bit surprised when he did not take up the captaincy. By bringing in a young captain it could mean that he is around 37 years old and even he wants a young player as a captain for the long-term and focus on his contributions,” he concluded.
The franchise will hope that with Patidar’s appointment, they can overturn their longstanding wait for their first IPL title.
