Virat Kohli To Lead RCB Again? Franchise’s Director Of Cricket Reveals Intentions

RCB’s Director of Cricket have hinted that Virat Kohli is always welcome to lead the franchise at any point of time.

Virat Kohli’s bond with Royal Challengers Bengaluru has defined much of the franchise’s IPL journey. However, a new leadership chapter has unfolded at RCB, with Rajat Patidar taking charge and guiding the side to its maiden IPL title, as the management prioritises long-term stability over nostalgia.

Virat Kohli has been the face of Royal Challengers Bengaluru since the inception of the IPL in 2008. After leading the franchise in 143 matches between 2011 and 2023, he stepped down from the captaincy following the 2023 season. Faf du Plessis subsequently took over the reins.

Ahead of the mega auction, RCB opted for a structural reset. Du Plessis was released, and the franchise turned to Rajat Patidar as its new captain — a move that signalled a generational shift in leadership rather than a temporary adjustment.

Rajat Patidar Delivers Immediate Impact

The decision paid off almost instantly. Under Patidar’s captaincy, RCB ended their prolonged wait for silverware and secured their maiden IPL title. The triumph strengthened the belief within the franchise that the transition was not just symbolic but strategic.

With championship success already under his belt, Patidar is widely expected to continue as captain, ushering in what could be a long-term leadership era for the Bengaluru-based franchise.

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Mo Bobat On Why RCB Looked Beyond Virat Kohli

RCB’s director of cricket, Mo Bobat, revealed that discussions were held with Kohli about potentially resuming captaincy. Kohli, as always, expressed readiness to step up if required.

“Andy (Flower) and I met him (Kohli) in London not long after the 2024 season and talked about that (captaincy). He’s always ready to step forward and lead. He doesn’t need a second invitation,” Bobat said on the RCB podcast.

“But we spoke at that stage about how this decision is not just about us three as people. It’s about RCB more broadly as a franchise – its leadership, maybe even beyond us. We might not be here and Rajat might be continuing as captain. So, it’s a moment in time where we have to take that responsibility quite seriously,” he added.

However, Bobat and head coach Andy Flower chose to look beyond a short-term solution. While reinstating Kohli may have been the easier path, the management believed the franchise needed to reduce long-term reliance on its former skipper.

“The easy thing would have been to say, ‘Virat, do you mind filling in and taking up the captaincy?’ But then you’re just kicking a decision down the road. At some point, we can’t be dependent on Virat all the time. Virat’s a bright guy. He got it really quickly. He said, ‘Let’s think about some of these other individuals. But if you need someone, then obviously I can do it,” he said.

Bobat explained that leadership decisions must serve the broader vision of the club and extend beyond current personnel. Kohli, understanding the larger picture, supported the idea of evaluating other candidates before turning back to him.

The message from RCB’s think tank is clear: while Kohli remains the spiritual leader and enduring icon of the franchise, the Rajat Patidar era represents a conscious move toward sustained stability and future-focused leadership.