Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) announced Rajat Patidar as their new captain for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season last month.

Following the release of Faf du Plessis, RCB didn't buy anyone with leadership abilities in the mega auction last November. It was speculated that one between Virat Kohli and Patidar would be given the charge.

Kohli had led RCB from 2013 to 2021. The high point of his captaincy came in 2016, when they finished runners-up to Sunrisers Hyderabad.

On the other hand, Patidar captained Madhya Pradesh in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy earlier in the season.

As it turned out, RCB handed the captaincy responsibilities to Patidar, under whom Madhya Pradesh reached the final of the 2024-25 SMAT (domestic T20 tournament).

With barely a few days remaining for the 18th edition of IPL, former RCB batter AB de Villiers shared that Virat Kohli didn’t turn down the captaincy but rather supported the franchise's long-term call to hand over the leadership to Rajat Patidar.

"Andy Flower must have been thinking about this for a long time along with Mo Bobat. I'm sure they came up with a strategy where they maybe felt like it's time for a fresh look as captain," de Villiers told reporters during the virtual press meet on Tuesday (March 18).

"They would definitely have had discussions with Virat and obviously he gave them the nod. I don't necessarily think Virat turned down. But he is in favour of the decision which was the most important thing."

According to de Villiers, Kohli’s mature reaction and endorsement of the decision highlight his commitment to the franchise’s future.

"It was a very mature reaction from Virat -- because in one of his last seasons, perhaps, maybe he would have liked to be captain. But for him to go, 'you know what guys, I feel this is a bigger and better move for the future of RCB,' I think that’s fantastic," the Proteas legend added.

"Only time will tell, right? You’ll see how they operate as a team on the park and if Virat really has the back of Rajat Patidar. I’m very sure he will."

RCB team director Mo Bobat confirmed that Kohli was indeed considered, while head coach Andy Flower praised the former skipper’s "maturity" in the conversations during the captain announcement event.

"He obviously likes Rajat, respects him both as a person and a player," said Flower. "The authenticity with which he spoke stood out. I have a lot of respect for Virat. My experience with him last season, in the first half we were struggling, but he was exceptional in changing the fortunes. That experience with him last season only made my respect for him grow."