Rajat Patidar will don a new cap when the IPL 2025 season begins, this Saturday.
Following the likes of Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis, Patidar has been handed the captaincy in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) bid to win their maiden title in the 18th season.
Patidar will be leading a mixed unit, consisting IPL debutants and experienced veterans.
In order to ease some pressure off him, former South Africa captain AB de Villiers, adviced him to pick up the brains of Kohli and head coach Andy Flower.
“Patidar’s biggest challenge will be insecurity, stepping into the big boots of captains like Faf and Virat (Kohli). Having Virat around and constantly almost doubting yourself – ‘Am I doing the right thing? What would Virat do?’ So that I think will be his biggest obstacle,” de Villiers said during a virtual press room session with JioStar.
“Use the experience of Virat, use the experience of Andy Flower, but always stay true to who you are,” he added.
Kohli has been among the highest run aggregator in the IPL. However, his strike rate of 131.97, has been a cause of concern for the Bengaluru side.
“Virat, being a great team man and only a human being after all, definitely has those doubts in his head. But the one thing about Virat is he’s always had the ability to, when it matters most, cross that line for his team, block everything out, and it’s business time (sic). He might have called his time in T20Is, but there’s plenty left for Virat, and with the batting lineup this season, I don’t think Virat is going to feel a lot of pressure,’ he said.
RCB will begin their campaign on the inaugural day of IPL 2025 against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday.