Patidar Captaining RCB Similar To India Making MS Dhoni Captain In 2007: Srikkanth

Former India skipper and chief selector Kris Srikkanth hailed Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s appointment of Rajat Patidar as the new captain of the franchise and drew parallels with India appointing MS Dhoni as skipper ahead of the 2007 T20 World Cup.

Srikkanth stated that, as was the case with Dhoni in 2007, expectations will be minimal from newly-appointed skipper Patidar. And he believes that could end up working in the favour of both the player and the franchise. 

Dhoni captained India for the first time in the 2007 T20 Word Cup and that appointment proved to be a masterstroke as the Men in Blue were crowned inaugural T20 World Cup champions, against all odds. 

"Before the 2007 T20 World Cup, India appointed MS Dhoni as skipper. There were no expectations [from India and Dhoni] when that happened. I feel Patidar's appointment is similar, in my opinion,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

"This is the best move by RCB. It's a very surprising move, let me be very frank. As a player and as a captain, his track record is very good. I don't know if Ee Saala Cup Namde, but RCB fans will be happy with Patidar.”

Srikkanth asserted that, come IPL 2025, there will be far more pressure on the likes of Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant to deliver as compared to Patidar, who is relatively new and inexperienced and is not a household name.

“Among all the other big names who are captaining the franchises, I feel Patidar will be under the least pressure,” Srikkanth said.

The former India skipper insisted that he foresees a very good season for RCB. Patidar will be aiming to land the RCB Men’s side their first ever IPL title.

"RCB will do very well. New captain, new team, there is going to be a new outlook,” Srikkanth said.