`The way he introduced me to so many fans..`: Patidar all praises for Kohli

Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar recently opened up about his admiration for Virat Kohli and the emotional moment when he received the captaincy plaque from the RCB legend.

Patidar, who took over the leadership from Faf du Plessis ahead of IPL 2025, described the gesture at the RCB Unbox event as one that will always remain `special` in his heart.

In a candid conversation on the latest episode of the RCB Podcast, Patidar shared how the significance of the captaincy truly sank in only after observing the reactions around him.

“Until then I was normal, I didn`t feel much. My personality is such that I do not express much. I take everything in a normal way. But when I started noticing the things around me, I felt it was a big role and it is not easy to get it,” he said, recalling the moment he was officially named captain.

Patidar’s father was one of the first to call and congratulate him after the announcement. It was then that the magnitude of the occasion began to dawn on him. A composed character by nature, Patidar admitted that public recognition and the symbolic gesture of being introduced by Kohli made it truly memorable.

“I always consider him my idol in terms of batting. Whenever he bats, I watch his batting and I learn from him. So, I feel that was a special moment, when he said…what he said about me, the way he introduced me to so many fans. It`s very special for me. It always will be,” he added.

The 31-year-old further expressed how valuable it is to have Kohli’s support in his journey as a young captain.

“…how supportive he is, it`s an opportunity for me. I am playing and leading the team, and he is with me, so I should learn from him. No one has the experience and ideas he has, in any role, whether it is batting, as an individual, and as a captain. So I feel it is a good opportunity to learn from him.”

As the tournament resumes, Patidar will look to bounce back from a modest run of form. In 11 matches and 10 innings so far, he has scored 239 runs at an average of 23.90 and a strike rate of 140.58, with two fifties and a top score of 64.

RCB currently sit in second place on the IPL 2025 points table with eight wins and three losses. Their next fixture is a high-stakes clash against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in Bengaluru on Saturday.

(With ANI inputs)

This article first appeared on Mid Day