Virat Kohli did not want to captain RCB, Rajat Patidar was best option: Jitesh Sharma-OxBig News Network

Royal Challengers Bangalore wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma feels that Virat Kohli did not want to captain the side in the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League. After letting go of Faf du Plessis ahead of the 2025 mega-auction, RCB was short of a captaincy decision going into the new season. The team handed the leadership role to Rajat Patidar, who has played for the franchise since 2021.

Speaking on the CricXtasy podcast, Jitesh said that he had a hint that Rajat would become the captain of the franchise but got confirmation through the RCB social media post.

“I got to know about Rajat Patidar becoming the captain when everyone else got to know. But when you have been around the game for a while, you understand the flow of things. Virat bhai did not want to captain the side,” Jitesh Sharma said on the podcast.

IPL 2025 Full Coverage | Schedule

He, however, quickly backtracked on the statement, stating: “I don’t know why he did not want to captain. I am not in the management side of things; when I am, I will let you know. But he has not been captaining in the last 2-3 years, so it felt that he would not do it this year as well. So, I think Rajat was the best option,” he added.

The wicketkeeper was bought by RCB for a whopping price of Rs 11 crore. Jitesh was let go by his previous franchise, Punjab Kings, ahead of the 2025 mega-auction. The lower-order batter saw tremendous bidding for his services, which shot his price to Rs 7 crore in no time. PBKS exercised their Right to Match card at that price, but RCB, desperate to replace Dinesh Karthik in the team, paid Rs 11 crore for the keeper-batter.

Speaking about his potential role in the side, Jitesh said that apart from his duties as a keeper-batter, he would like to help Rajat with making decisions in the field.

“Rajat definitely deserves the captaincy. He has given his services to RCB for so many years. I have played a lot of cricket with Rajat. I would definitely help him with the captaincy,” concluded Jitesh.

RCB have completely revamped their side after letting go of du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell and Mohammed Siraj. RCB have a new look bowling attack this season, as well as a fresh middle order.

RCB IPL 2025: Full squad

Virat Kohli (India) | Rajat Patidar (India) | Yash Dayal (India) | Josh Hazlewood (Australia) | Phil Salt (England) | Jitesh Sharma (India) | Bhuvneshwar Kumar (India) | Liam Livingstone (England) | Rasikh Dar (India) | Krunal Pandya (India) | Suyash Sharma (India) | Jacob Bethell (England) | Tim David (Australia) | Devdutt Padikkal (India) | Romario Shepherd (West Indies) | Nuwan Thushara (Sri Lanka) | Lungi Ngidi (South Africa) | Swapnil Singh (India) | Manoj Bhandage (India) | Swastik Chikara (India) | Abhinandan Singh (India) | Mohit Rathee (India)