“Virat Kohli’s Reluctance Revealed: RCB’s Jitesh Sharma Unveils Insights into Captaincy Transition Drama | Cricket News”

“Virat Kohli’s Decision on Captaincy: Insights from RCB’s Jitesh Sharma”

Jitesh Sharma, a fresh acquisition by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the 2025 IPL season, has delivered a revealing insight into the franchise’s leadership landscape as they name Rajat Patidar as the new captain.

RCB’s announcement ended widespread speculation concerning Virat Kohli’s potential return to captaincy. Despite fervent conjecture following the IPL mega auction, the franchise opted for Patidar with an apparent focus on long-term strategy, indicating a decisive shift in leadership vision.

In an interview with CricXtasy, Jitesh Sharma—acquired at a substantial price of INR 11 crore—disclosed his understanding of Kohli’s decision not to resume the captaincy role. He noted that although the official captaincy announcement coincided with the public release, it was evident from internal dynamics that Kohli would not reclaim the captaincy mantle.

“I learned about Rajat Patidar’s appointment as captain along with everyone else. Having observed the game closely, it was clear that Virat bhai did not intend to lead the team,” Jitesh explained.

When questioned about the factors influencing Kohli’s decision, Jitesh admitted to being uninformed about specific reasons, emphasizing the directional shift evident over the past few seasons. “I’m not privy to management-level decisions,” he remarked. “However, with Virat abstaining from captaincy in recent years, it seemed logical that he wouldn’t assume the role this season either. Thus, Rajat appeared to be the most prudent choice.”

During RCB’s leadership unveiling, Team Director Mo Bobat acknowledged that Kohli was considered for the position, while Head Coach Andy Flower recounted his discussions with the player. “In our conversations, Virat demonstrated commendable integrity and maturity. His enthusiasm and dedication to the upcoming IPL season were unmistakable. He holds Rajat in high regard, which is crucial for team dynamics,” Flower stated.

“My interactions with Virat last season reinforced my respect for him; he played a pivotal role in turning around our fortunes despite initial struggles,” Flower added.

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