“Didn’t Want To Come To RCB”: Rajat Patidar’s Big Revelation Over Franchise’s ‘Broken Promise’

Rajat Patidar, who directs the royal challengers Bengaluru this IPL, revised the 2022 season when he was “sad” and “angry” after being ignored by the franchise despite the insurance, to be called later as replacement of the injuries. Patidar also admitted that being given the captain by the inimitable Virat Kohli before IPL 2025 put him under pressure, but the words of support for the legend have calmed him. Patidar was one of the RCB intermediate pillars this season, marking 239 points in 11 games while the Southern franchise aims for a male IPL IPL title.

“I had received a message (before the mega auction for IPL 2022) that you should be ready … that we will choose you. I had a little hope that I would have another chance (to play for RCB). But I was not chosen in the mega auction. I was a little sad,” said Patidar on a RCB podcast.

However, the 31 -year -old cricket player from Madhya Pradesh did not have to wait a long time to wear the colors of the RCB again when one of his state comrades was injured. But Patidar didn’t really want to return to Bengaluru, knowing that he would barely have the opportunity to play in a star program.

“I had (had) started playing in my local matches in Indore (after not having been chosen in the auction). Then I received a call that” we choose you to replace Luvnith Sisodia “, which was injured. To tell you frankly, I did not always want to be replaced because I did not know that I would not have had the opportunity to play.

“I was not angry. It was as if they did not choose me (during the auction), so I will not get it (I will play). I was angry for a while, but I was normal,” said Patidar, who led the final of Madhya Pradesh to the final of the Triphy Syed Mushtaq Ali 2024-25.

Being put back the reins on one side that emblematic Kohli in his ranks put pressure on Patidar, but the support of the star striker gave him confidence.

“I had a lot of questions like, there are so many (big players) in the team. Virat Kohli is such a great player, how will you do him under him. I know how favorable it is on this subject (change of captain).

“I knew that I had his full support. As I said, it is an apprenticeship for me, it is an opportunity for me. So, I will learn as much as possible of him. Because no one has the experience and the ideas he has in all the role – whether it is the striker, as an individual and as a captain,” said Patidar.

The day he was revealed as a Skipper of the RCB was one of the most memorable days for Patidar, and he says that he became “completely empty” while receiving the Kohli plate.

“I saw him (Kohli) since I started watching television, in IPL, out of the field, in the Indian team … to take this thing (captain’s plate) that he has been doing for so many years … and he gives it with his own hands.

“When he gave it to me, I was a little worried about how to take it. I was completely empty on what to do. He told me to hold it. I held him. After that, I looked at him as, what should I do?” Then he said a few words like: “You deserve it, you did it”. So I felt a little good. I mean when he told me that, I became normal in this situation. I learn from him as much as possible. So I think it was a special moment … The way he introduced me to so many fans. “”

(With the exception of the title, this story has not been published by NDTV staff and is published from a unionized flow.)