RCB’s new era: Rajat Patidar as captain, Virat Kohli’s impact, and AB de Villiers’ take ahead of IPL 2025 – The Financial Express

As the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) approaches, all eyes are on Virat Kohli and how he will approach the season following his retirement from international T20Is. With Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) set to open their IPL 2025 campaign against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 22, discussions around Kohli’s strike rate and intent have resurfaced.
Last season, Kohli faced criticism over his strike rate, particularly during RCB’s losses against KKR in Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Jaipur. Despite scoring runs in both matches, his cautious approach raised concerns among analysts and fans. The debate intensified as the ICC T20 World Cup squad selection approached, with many questioning whether Kohli still had the firepower to dominate T20 cricket.
Former RCB star AB de Villiers, a close friend of Kohli, has defended him, stating that the former India captain often faces undue criticism. “I feel Virat’s taken unnecessary criticism over the last few seasons. He’s batting incredibly well, but there’s no doubt that the outside noise has influenced him at times. We’re all human, after all,” de Villiers said during Star Sports Press Room on Explosive Rankings, responding to a Hindustan Times query.
De Villiers acknowledged that Kohli, like any player, has moments of self-doubt but emphasized that he thrives in high-pressure situations. “The one thing about Virat is that he’s always had the ability to block out distractions when it matters most. You could see that focus in his eyes during the Champions Trophy,” he added.
One of the biggest surprises ahead of IPL 2025 was RCB’s decision to appoint Rajat Patidar as captain, bypassing both Kohli and Faf du Plessis. De Villiers believes Patidar must trust his instincts and not let the pressure of leading a star-studded team affect him.
“His biggest challenge will be overcoming insecurity—stepping into the shoes of past captains like Virat and having him around all the time. He might find himself constantly questioning his decisions. But he needs to remind himself why he was chosen,” de Villiers said.
De Villiers advised Patidar to embrace his leadership style rather than imitate Kohli or Du Plessis. “He should use the experience of Virat and Andy Flower but stay true to who he is. That will be key to his success,” he added.
RCB will look to break their long-standing title jinx this season, and De Villiers believes Josh Hazlewood will be a crucial player for them. “RCB has a well-balanced squad, but their biggest challenge will be their tricky schedule. They also lack an X-factor spinner, but Krunal Pandya could fill that role,” he noted.
Praising RCB’s batting strength, de Villiers said, “This lineup is pure power. I think Virat will enjoy batting with Phil Salt. The bowling unit, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s experience, will also be key. But keeping Hazlewood fit is critical—wrap him in cotton wool if needed!”
With the season set to begin, all eyes will be on RCB’s performance under their new leadership and whether Kohli can silence his critics with a dominant IPL campaign.
Global markets are expected to open positively on March 17, driven by Gift Nifty and strong gains on Indian stock markets. Key economic updates, such as the FOMC meeting and Trump-Putin ceasefire talks, will influence trading. Asian markets show mixed trends, while gold prices continue to rise. US stocks and the dollar remain steady. FIIs return as net buyers in Indian equities after a month.

source