Rajat Patidar has been making headlines as the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2025. But his journey with RCB has not always been smooth. In fact, Patidar was left feeling “angry” and “sad” after a broken promise by the franchise in IPL 2022.
This story is about resilience, missed chances, and ultimate leadership.
Before IPL 2022, Patidar was told by RCB to be ready for the team. He hoped to get picked in the mega auction. But when the results came out, Patidar was ignored. This left the 31-year-old batter disappointed.
“I had a little hope that I would get another chance. But I wasn’t picked. I was a little sad,” Patidar said in an RCB Podcast.
For most players, being dropped after a promise like that can hurt confidence. For Patidar, it was a test of patience. He went back to playing local matches in Indore, thinking his chance with RCB was gone.
Then, fate stepped in when RCB needed a replacement for the injured Luvnith Sisodia. They called Patidar back.
– No PR like Ganju Scamson
– Never served water like Ruturaj
– Never banned from team like csk
– Never flopped in knockout like dharavi 360* SuryaJust pure talent – Prince of cricket Sir RAJAT PATIDAR ❤️ pic.twitter.com/IZsE2uNXZj
— 🏴 (@DineshX18) March 28, 2025
However, Patidar was not eager to return as a replacement player. He feared he wouldn’t get to play much in a team full of stars. “I didn’t want to come as a replacement because I knew I wouldn’t get a chance to play. I always feel that I don’t want to sit in the dugout,” he explained. Despite being “angry for a while,” he quickly moved on.
Fast forward to IPL 2025, and Patidar is now the leader of the side. Taking over the captaincy from the legendary Virat Kohli was no small task. “It did put pressure on me,” he admitted. But Kohli’s support made a big difference. “I knew I have his full support. This is a learning opportunity for me. I want to learn as much as I can from him,” Patidar said.
The moment Kohli handed over the captaincy plaque was unforgettable. Patidar went “completely blank” but was comforted when Kohli told him, “You deserve it, you earned it.” That moment symbolized Patidar’s growth from a sidelined player to a trusted leader.
Patidar’s story is a reminder that setbacks don’t define a career. A broken promise doesn’t mean the end of your journey. With hard work and support, you can turn things around. Patidar’s 239 runs in 11 matches this season show he is ready to lead RCB to its first IPL title.
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