‘I have the highest regard for…’ – Andy Flower showers praise on Virat Kohli; makes huge statement on Rajat Patidar becoming RCB captain

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) coach Andy Flower has praised former skipper Virat Kohli during the captain’s announcement event on Thursday. Rajat Patidar was named as the new captain of the side by the team on Thursday. The 31-year-old will succeed Faf Du Plessis and will hope to lead the side to title glory during IPL 2025. 

Speaking during the event, Andy Flower revealed his admiration for Virat Kohli, saying, “I have the highest regard for Virat Kohli as a person. He was a huge part in turning the season around for us last year. And that experience with last season made my respect for him grow."

Former skipper Virat Kohli was the top scorer during IPL 2024 with 741 runs from 15 games. The 36-year-old hit one century and five half-centuries with an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154. At one stage, RCB were placed bottom of the table at the halfway point in the season. Thanks to Virat Kohli and the rest of the players, RCB were able to make it to the playoffs after beating CSK in the final group match. 

Andy Flower makes huge statement on new skipper Rajat Patidar 

Former Zimbabwean legend and RCB coach Andy Flower revealed the reason behind naming Patidar as the new skipper. Zee News quoted Flower as saying, “I could speak for quite a long time about Rajat, but I've settled on three main things that I thought might be interesting to share. The first one is there's a calmness and a simplicity about Rajat that I think will stand him in really, really good stead as a leader and a captain, particularly in the IPL.”

RCB’s coach also added, “The second thing I'd say about him is, he's inherently quiet. A quiet guy, but observing him, he cares about the people around him. He cares about the people that he plays with, that he shares a dressing room with, and I think that's a quality that means that he will instantly have the respect and care of other people.”

“The third thing that stands out for me about him is that he's got a stubbornness and a strength and steeliness about him. I've seen it myself when I'm coaching him in the nets and he won't listen to me. But you see it in the way that he plays,” further added Andy Flower.