‘Being honest, I didn’t…’: THIS is the reason why Rajat Patidar was upset with RCB, Video goes viral
New Delhi: Rajat Patidar, who is leading Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), was very disappointed about the 2022 season when the franchise ignored him in the players’ auction despite assurances. Patidar, who joined the team as a replacement for an injured player, said that he was ‘sad’ and ‘angry’ then. Patidar also admitted that he was feeling pressure due to being handed over the captaincy by Virat Kohli ahead of IPL 2025, but the words of support from the legendary player put him at ease.
Patidar has been one of the main players of RCB’s middle order this season. He has scored 239 runs in 11 matches. His goal is to give the team its first IPL title. Patidar said on the ‘RCB Podcast’, “I got a message (before the mega auction for IPL 2022) that you should be ready … we will pick you. I had a little hope that I would get another chance (to play for RCB). But I was ignored in the mega auction. I was a little sad about it.”
The 31-year-old batsman from Madhya Pradesh, however, got a chance to return to RCB after a player from his state got injured. Patidar, however, was not keen to return to Bangalore as he knew that he would hardly get a chance to play in a team full of big players. He said, “I started playing my local matches in Indore (after not being selected in the auction). I then got a call saying ‘we are selecting you in place of Lavnith Sisodia‘.” Sisodia was out of the team that season due to injury.
Patidar said, “To be honest, I did not want to come as a replacement for any player because I felt that I would not get a chance to play there. I always feel that I don’t want to sit there (in the dugout).” Patidar, who played a key role in Madhya Pradesh reaching the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2024-25 as captain, said, “I was angry for a while but then I became normal.” Patidar said that after getting the captaincy from a great player like Kohli, he was feeling the pressure but the encouraging words of this star batsman filled him with confidence. He said, “I had many questions in my mind, like there are many big players in the team. Kohli’s status is very big, how can I ask him to do something? However, I got his full support in this matter.” Patidar said that getting the command of RCB is one of the most memorable days for him and when Kohli handed over this responsibility to him, he became very emotional. He said, “I have seen Kohli playing on television for a long time. Then I got a chance to play with him in IPL and Indian team and when I got the responsibility of captaincy from him, I got a little worried and emotional. “He further said, “Kohli told me that I deserve it and I have earned it. This boosted my morale a lot. ”
Before the IPL was postponed, Patidar had a finger injury, due to which there was doubt about his playing, but now he has come to the field for practice. RCB is performing brilliantly under the leadership of Patidar this season. Winning 8 out of 11 matches, it is at the second position in the points table. Close to the playoffs, RCB will take on KKR on May 17 in the first match of the restarted IPL 2025. This match will be played from 7.30 pm.
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