IPL 2025: Aakash Chopra fires 'Virat Kohli' warning to Rajat Patidar - "There would be a lot of pressure"
Published - 19 Mar 2025, 07:10 PM | Updated - 19 Mar 2025, 07:13 PM
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As the IPL 2025 is set to get underway on March 22, all eyes will be on the newly appointed captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Rajat Patidar, who succeeded Faf du Plessis after the franchise parted ways with the former South African skipper last year.
Rajat Patidar has delivered impressive performances in the middle order over the years, but leading a franchise with a legacy of big names like Virat Kohli comes with immense expectations. Ahead of the season opener, Aakash Chopra said that this is a massive opportunity for Patidar to establish himself as a long-term leader for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Aakash Chopra raises questions on Rajat Patidar's biggest opportunity with the RCB!!
The former Indian batter has pointed out that the star batter has already shown his leadership skills at the domestic level, guiding Madhya Pradesh to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final, but the IPL captaincy is a different challenge altogether. He questioned whether RCB is genuinely investing in Patidar for the long run or if this is a short-term move.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel, “The biggest opportunity is for Rajat Patidar. What will you expect from him? He did well for MP, took the team to the final in SMAT (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy), and the team looked towards you and said they are planning for the next four to five years. However, do they actually invest that much? That question always remains.”
Notably, Royal Challengers Bengaluru reached three finals in the IPL, but they have not yet lifted the trophy. Last season, they made a stunning comeback, winning seven of their last eight matches, but fell short in the Eliminator against Rajasthan Royals.
'RCB have a legacy of good captains' - Aakash Chopra
Furthermore, the commentator highlighted the pressure Patidar will face, especially with Virat Kohli still in the squad. Aakash Chopra explained that having an iconic cricketer of Kohli’s stature in the team can be beneficial, but it’s crucial for Patidar to lead with his own approach rather than constantly wondering what the former Indian and RCB skipper would have done in certain situations.
He noted, “They have a legacy of good captains. Don’t think about what Virat Kohli would have done. When a player of such huge stature is part of the team, you look towards him. He has also captained this team for eight overs. So, you suddenly think about what Virat would have done in a particular situation.”
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Make your own way, don’t follow Virat Kohli: Aakash Chopra's suggestion to Rajat Patidar
Chopra believes that the upcoming IPL 2025 is a defining moment for Patidar. If he manages to lead RCB to their first-ever IPL title, it would be a historic achievement and cement his place as a prominent leader in Indian cricket.
He signed off by saying, “There would be a lot of pressure on you if you go with that thinking because you will never chart your own course. It’s important to make your own way. Virat Kohli is a part of that team; you don’t have to captain like Virat Kohli. So, opportunities for him. He can actually create history. If he does what has not happened to date—wow.”
