The IPL 2025 is just over a month away, as teams are preparing for the start of the 18th edition of the mega tournament. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) would hope to finally win their first-ever IPL title, and they had assembled a fresh squad for the mega tournament. Rumours circulated that Vitat Kohli was the frontrunner to return as the new RCB captain. However, on February 13, the franchise announced 31-year-old batter Rajat Patidar as the surprising name to lead them in IPL 2025.

Virat Kohli was the frontrunner to become the captain of RCB, especially after he was retained for Rs 21 crore before the IPL auction. However, according to a report by The Times of India, it was Kohli himself who passed on the opportunity. The franchise had multiple long chats with Kohli regarding the matter and they finally came to the unanimous decision to make someone else the captain.

Kohli was the captain of ECB permanently from 2011 to 2021, when he finally stepped down from the role voluntarily. He did return to captain the franchise in a few games in the absence of injured Faf du Plessis. However, it might be possible that Kohli did not want to become the permanent captain of the franchise as he had willingly made the decision to not continue in the role. This could also be because Virat Kohli wanted to concentrate on his batting and play more freely.

In a video shared by RCB, Virat Kohli can be seen congratulating Rajat Patidar for becoming the new captain of RCB. He also requested the fans to stand behind their new captain.

"I want to congratulate Rajat, I am so happy for you, you have earned it - I have seen how he has evolved, the way he led his state team - I request all the fans go right behind him, sending all the best wishes".

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