New Title: Speculations on Virat Kohli's decision to decline RCB captaincy for IPL 2025: 'Got to know about Rajat Patidar when...'

Speaking on the CricXtasy podcast ahead of the start of IPL 2025, Jitesh, who played for PBKS last season, revealed that Kohli had decided not to continue as the captain of RCB for the upcoming season. He also mentioned that he found out about Patidar's selection for the role only after RCB's social media post confirmed it.

"I got to know about Rajat Patidar becoming the captain when everyone else got to know. But when you have been around the game for a while, you understand the flow of things. Virat bhai did not want to captain the side," Jitesh said.

However, the India wicketkeeper-batter quickly backtracked on his statement on Kohli, speculating that the reason behind him declining the offer to lead RCB again was down to him being away from the captaincy role for four years. He had last led RCB in IPL 2021, before stepping down from the position.

He, however, quickly backtracked on the statement, stating: "I don't know why he did not want to captain. I am not in the management side of things; when I am, I will let you know. But he has not been captaining in the last 2-3 years, so it felt that he would not do it this year as well. So, I think Rajat was the best option," he added.

What RCB head coach Andy Flower had said on Kohli?

After RCB's big announcement last month, team director Mo Bobat confirmed that Kohli was considered for the role, before Flower disclosed his discussion with the 36-year-old.

Speaking to the media at an event in Bengaluru, the Zimbabwe legend discussed Kohli's "maturity and integrity" in discussing RCB captaincy and his thoughts on Patidar as a leadership option.

"In our discussions with Virat, I thought the integrity and maturity he showed as a man in our discussions regarding the subject, is what I had expected. I really enjoyed talking with him, one of the things that stood out was the energy and passion that he is looking forward to this IPL with. He obviously likes Rajat, respects Rajat both as a person and a player. I think that relationship will be very important and I think you saw in the video earlier, the authencity with which he spoke. I have a lot of respect for Virat. My experience with him last season, in the first half we were struggling, he was exceptional in changing the fortunes. That experience with him last season only made my respect for him grow," he said.

ICC Champions Trophy , ICC Champions Trophy Schedule , and Champions Trophy 2025 Points Table – stay ahead with real-time match updates, team standings, and insights. Check live cricket score , player stats, and ICC rankings of top players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli . Get expert analysis, match previews, and in-depth coverage of ICC CT 2025, IPL 2025 Schedule and IPL 2025, all on HT Crickit, powered by Hindustan Times – your trusted source for cricket news. .freemium-card h4{color:#fff; padding-bottom:20px;} .freemium-card .freemium-content .subcTxt{padding-bottom:16px; color:#fff;} .freemium-card .freemium-content{width: auto; max-width: inherit;} .freemium-card .freemium-content .subcTxt{max-width:inherit; font-size:18px; padding-top:0; line-height:24px} .freemium-card .btnSubc{margin} .freemium-card .btnSubc a{background:#000; color:#fff; min-width:auto; padding:5px 15px; border-radius:6px; font-size:16px; line-height:22px; font-weight:700;} .freemium-card{height:285px} @media (max-width: 767px) { .freemium-card h4{font-size:28px} .freemium-card .freemium-content{max-width:360px; padding: 20px;} .freemium-card{height:303px; background-position: 100% 0; } }