Royal Challengers Bengaluru start a new era from this season of the Indian Premier League as Rajat Patidar takes over the reins of the team. Entrusted with taking the RCB franchise to its first-ever title, Patidar was made the captain after the franchise let go of Faf du Plessis ahead of the retention deadline and the South African ended up at Delhi Capitals.
RCB opted for Patidar over long-time talisman and batting mainstay Virat Kohli. The presence of Kohli in the team, and the prospect of filling in the big shoes of du Plessis could make any man second guess himself. RCB legend AB de Villiers, who spent 11 seasons at the franchise, stated that Patidar’s biggest challenge this season would be dealing with self-doubt while stepping into the shoes of past captains like du Plessis and Kohli.
“His biggest challenge will be insecurity, stepping into the big boots of the past captains like Faf and Virat.. having Virat around and constantly almost doubting yourself. He needs to stay true to who he is and not try to captain like Virat or like Faf. And use the experience of Virat, use the experience of Andy Flower and some of the other players,” De Villiers said during the JioStar Press Room on Tuesday
Kohli has already thrown his weight behind Patidar as the team captain a few times.
“This guy is going to lead you for a long time. He is going to do a great job. He has got everything that is required (to succeed),” Kohli said in his address to RCB’s loyal fans at the team’s Unbox event here on Monday.
De Villiers said that RCB was lacking an X-factor in the spin department.
“They’re only lacking an X-factor spinner, right? Krunal Pandya is a wonderful spinner. We’ve seen him over the years perform very consistently and he can chip in with the bat as well. They have some other options as well.
“But I mean, look at that batting lineup. It is pure power. There’s a mix between power and also control.”
