'If your idol backs you, you don't need anything more': Rajat Patidar on Virat Kohli's support

Rajat Patidar, the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL, has spoken about how Virat Kohli's support played a crucial role in his leadership journey. Patidar, who has long admired Kohli, revealed that the captain's backing gave him the confidence to handle the immense pressure of leading the team.

Patidar's admiration for Kohli goes beyond mere admiration; it transcends to a point where he felt that Kohli's endorsement was all he needed to excel in his role. "If your idol backs you, then you don’t need anything more. You don’t need anyone else’s support," Patidar remarked.

Leading RCB, a team with a massive fan base and high expectations, is no easy feat. Patidar acknowledged this, stating that it's challenging to place someone in the captaincy position, considering the immense expectations. However, he believes that Kohli saw something special in him and provided him with unwavering support, both as a player and as a captain.

Patidar's leadership has paid off, as he quickly delivered for RCB by winning their first IPL title in 2025, an achievement they successfully defended in 2026. Patidar's success as a captain is only the third instance of a team winning consecutive IPL titles, following in the footsteps of MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. For Patidar, Kohli's support has been an integral part of his leadership journey.