Indian batting stalwart <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/virat-kohli" rel="dofollow">Virat Kohli</a> doesn&rsquo;t need a &lsquo;captaincy title&rsquo; to lead, says <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/rcb" rel="dofollow">RCB</a>&rsquo;s director of cricket, Mo Bobat. On Thursday (Feb 13), the IPL franchise announced batter <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/royal-challengers-bengaluru-name-rajat-patidar-as-new-skipper-ahead-of-ipl-2025-8716503" rel="dofollow">Rajat Patidar as their new captain</a> ahead of the 18th edition (starting March 21), with Bobat admitting discussing Kohli&rsquo;s name among all options discussed for the role.
Speaking during the event in Bengaluru, Bobat reflected on RCB&rsquo;s decision to appoint Patidar and not Kohli, who was rumoured to take over the captaincy role following Faf du Plessis&rsquo; departure, saying regardless of who leads the franchise, Virat remains an integral part of the leadership group, something that comes naturally to him.
&ldquo;Of course, Virat was an option, and that goes without saying, and I know that the fans would've probably lent towards Virat in the first instance, but we've seen a lot of love for Rajat too," RCB&rsquo;s Mo Bobat said at an event in Bengaluru.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Look, my point on Virat would be that Virat doesn't need a captaincy title to lead. I think leadership, as we've all seen, is one of his strongest instincts. I think it just comes naturally to him. He leads regardless,&rdquo; he continued.
Virat captained RCB for nine years (from 2013 to 2021) before stepping down, with former South Africa captain Du Plessis succeeding him. However, with the RCB not retaining Faf (as he moved to Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2025), the fans thought they could pick Kohli as the new captain, which did not happen.
Speaking on how Patidar can follow Faf&rsquo;s path (of leaning towards Kohli), Bobat said, "Everybody in the country and everyone in the world knows that Virat's a leader in every sense of the word. Andy [Flower, head coach] and I lean on him quite a lot. Faf has lent on him quite a lot, and we're pretty sure that Rajat will be leaning on him too.&rdquo;
<h2>Kohli backed Patidar&rsquo;s selection as new RCB captain</h2>
Bobat also admitted that Kohli was part of the discussions leading to Patidar's appointment as the new RCB captain. Bobat said he, the head coach (Flower), spent time with Kohli (in Ahmedabad) earlier this week, where <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-backs-rajat-patidar-for-captaincy-role-at-rcb-says-this-is-very-well-deserved-8716941" rel="dofollow">Kohli expressed excitement in the franchise&rsquo;s call to name Rajat as Faf&rsquo;s successor</a>.&nbsp;
"Andy and I spent some time with Virat earlier this week actually in Ahmedabad, and it was really nice getting some time with him and talking things through with him [about captaincy]," Bobat said.&nbsp;
"And what was so obvious was he had so much energy and excitement for this decision and this appointment. He's so pleased for Rajat, like us. He knows how deserving Rajat is of this opportunity and is right behind him,&rdquo; he added.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: On Thursday (Feb 13), RCB announced Rajat Patidar as their new captain, with Bobat admitting discussing Kohli’s name among all options discussed for the role.

Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli doesn’t need a ‘captaincy title’ to lead, says RCB’s director of cricket, Mo Bobat. On Thursday (Feb 13), the IPL franchise announced batter Rajat Patidar as their new captain ahead of the 18th edition (starting March 21), with Bobat admitting discussing Kohli’s name among all options discussed for the role. Speaking during the event in Bengaluru, Bobat reflected on RCB’s decision to appoint Patidar and not Kohli, who was rumoured to take over the captaincy role following Faf du Plessis’ departure, saying regardless of who leads the franchise, Virat remains an integral part of the leadership group, something that comes naturally to him. “Of course, Virat was an option, and that goes without saying, and I know that the fans would've probably lent towards Virat in the first instance, but we've seen a lot of love for Rajat too," RCB’s Mo Bobat said at an event in Bengaluru. “Look, my point on Virat would be that Virat doesn't need a captaincy title to lead. I think leadership, as we've all seen, is one of his strongest instincts. I think it just comes naturally to him. He leads regardless,” he continued. Virat captained RCB for nine years (from 2013 to 2021) before stepping down, with former South Africa captain Du Plessis succeeding him. However, with the RCB not retaining Faf (as he moved to Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2025), the fans thought they could pick Kohli as the new captain, which did not happen. Speaking on how Patidar can follow Faf’s path (of leaning towards Kohli), Bobat said, "Everybody in the country and everyone in the world knows that Virat's a leader in every sense of the word. Andy [Flower, head coach] and I lean on him quite a lot. Faf has lent on him quite a lot, and we're pretty sure that Rajat will be leaning on him too.” Kohli backed Patidar’s selection as new RCB captain Bobat also admitted that Kohli was part of the discussions leading to Patidar's appointment as the new RCB captain. Bobat said he, the head coach (Flower), spent time with Kohli (in Ahmedabad) earlier this week, where Kohli expressed excitement in the franchise’s call to name Rajat as Faf’s successor. "Andy and I spent some time with Virat earlier this week actually in Ahmedabad, and it was really nice getting some time with him and talking things through with him [about captaincy]," Bobat said. "And what was so obvious was he had so much energy and excitement for this decision and this appointment. He's so pleased for Rajat, like us. He knows how deserving Rajat is of this opportunity and is right behind him,” he added. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: ‘Virat Kohli doesn’t need captaincy…,’ RCB’s director of cricket Mo Bobat

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have roped in Mo Bobat as their new director of cricket. The 40-year-old is currently with England Cricket Board as their Men's team performance director. Bobat has been associated with the ECB since last 12 years and has a good relationship with new RCB coach Andy Flower from their overlapping time with England.

During Bobat's tenure at performance director, England won both 50-over and 20-over World Cup titles while seeing a change of fortune in Tests with Brendon McCullum as coach and Ben Stokes as the skipper. Bobat joined the ECB at 2011, looking after Under-19 program initially before being named as the board's first Player Identification Lead in 2016.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ravi-ashwin-speaking-about-thing-of-utmost-importance-in-his-possibly-last-odi-world-cup-641203">Ravi Ashwin talks about 'thing of utmost importance' in his possibly 'last ODI world cup'</a>

"I'll be forever grateful for all of the opportunities and support that I received over the years and will carry with me many special memories, shared achievements and friendships," Bobat said in a press release by the team&nbsp;about his time with the ECB.

“I’m both excited and proud to be joining RCB as Director of Cricket. RCB is one of the most recognisable franchises in the world, with a renowned fan base. To serve them will be a huge honour. It’s important to acknowledge the work of both Mike Hesson and Sanjay Bangar, for the stability and consistency they provided over recent years.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
“I’m really looking forward to working closely with Andy Flower, somebody I know well, to take on the baton and deliver the success that RCB craves," Bobat added.

The IPL team have also announced Luke Williams as their women's team coach as well for the next edition of Women's Premier League (WPL). The former Australian cricketer had guided Adelaide Strikes to their maiden title in Women's Big Bash League in 2022-23 season after couple of runners-up finishes.
<img alt="RCB-W new head coach Luke Williams" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f8b1b35f-6c58-4ef3-903d-561f672e8887" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/RCB.jpg" />
“I am thrilled to have been provided this opportunity with RCB and can’t wait to get started with the team’s preparations for the second season of the WPL. I look forward to working with a playing group that will host a number of the most exciting players in Indian and world cricket as we look to bring a bold and exciting style of play and success to our huge and passionate fan base,” said Williams in a statement released by the team.

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Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have roped in Mo Bobat as their new director of cricket. The 40-year-old is currently with England Cricket Board as their Men's team performance director.

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have roped in Mo Bobat as their new director of cricket. The 40-year-old is currently with England Cricket Board as their Men's team performance director. Bobat has been associated with the ECB since last 12 years and has a good relationship with new RCB coach Andy Flower from their overlapping time with England. During Bobat's tenure at performance director, England won both 50-over and 20-over World Cup titles while seeing a change of fortune in Tests with Brendon McCullum as coach and Ben Stokes as the skipper. Bobat joined the ECB at 2011, looking after Under-19 program initially before being named as the board's first Player Identification Lead in 2016. Also Read: Ravi Ashwin talks about 'thing of utmost importance' in his possibly 'last ODI world cup' "I'll be forever grateful for all of the opportunities and support that I received over the years and will carry with me many special memories, shared achievements and friendships," Bobat said in a press release by the team about his time with the ECB. “I’m both excited and proud to be joining RCB as Director of Cricket. RCB is one of the most recognisable franchises in the world, with a renowned fan base. To serve them will be a huge honour. It’s important to acknowledge the work of both Mike Hesson and Sanjay Bangar, for the stability and consistency they provided over recent years. “I’m really looking forward to working closely with Andy Flower, somebody I know well, to take on the baton and deliver the success that RCB craves," Bobat added. The IPL team have also announced Luke Williams as their women's team coach as well for the next edition of Women's Premier League (WPL). The former Australian cricketer had guided Adelaide Strikes to their maiden title in Women's Big Bash League in 2022-23 season after couple of runners-up finishes. “I am thrilled to have been provided this opportunity with RCB and can’t wait to get started with the team’s preparations for the second season of the WPL. I look forward to working with a playing group that will host a number of the most exciting players in Indian and world cricket as we look to bring a bold and exciting style of play and success to our huge and passionate fan base,” said Williams in a statement released by the team. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

RCB rope in ECB performance director Mo Bobat as Director of Cricket; appoint Luke Williams as new RCB-W coach

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IPL 2025: ‘Virat Kohli doesn’t need captaincy…,’ RCB’s director of cricket Mo Bobat

RCB rope in ECB performance director Mo Bobat as Director of Cricket; appoint Luke Williams as new RCB-W coach