Virat Kohli’s Decision to Step Back as RCB Captain Praised by Kris Srikkanth
Former Indian cricket great Kris Srikkanth has shared his thoughts on Virat Kohli’s choice to step down from the captaincy of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), suggesting that Kohli may prefer to focus on his batting for the upcoming IPL season. Srikkanth commended RCB’s selection of Rajat Patidar as the new captain, pointing out that the reduced expectations on Patidar could be beneficial for his leadership.
RCB made headlines on February 13 when they announced Patidar as their fourth Indian captain. There had been buzz about a possible return of Kohli to the leadership position after he resigned in 2021. However, during a discussion on his YouTube channel, Cheeky Cheeka, Srikkanth indicated that Kohli likely chose not to take back the captaincy to allow a new direction under Patidar.
"I believe Virat would have declined the captaincy," Srikkanth said. "He likely wants to concentrate on his batting. This decision must have included discussions with Kohli."
Srikkanth expressed optimism about Patidar’s appointment, saying, "He has been performing well in the IPL, and the best part is that there won’t be high expectations placed on him. It’s similar to when we appointed Dhoni as T20 World Cup captain in 2007—it was a time when not much was expected from him or the team. Likewise, there is not a lot of pressure on Rajat Patidar. He will make his own decisions and can consult with Kohli, who will be an important guide for him."
At the official announcement event in Bengaluru, Mo Bobat, RCB’s Team Director, recognized Kohli’s ongoing leadership presence, even as Faf du Plessis led the team last season. Bobat noted that Kohli’s strong influence goes beyond just the title of captain, as he naturally embodies leadership qualities.
Kohli captained RCB for nine seasons from 2013 to 2021. Despite never winning an IPL trophy, his time as captain helped to establish RCB’s strong identity in the league.
RCB’s head coach, Andy Flower, also commented on Kohli’s reaction to Patidar’s appointment, describing him as professional and supportive. With Kohli focusing purely on his batting, RCB fans are hopeful that he will return to his best performance in the upcoming IPL season.
