In a revelation that’s causing ripples across the cricket world, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar has accused his franchise of breaking a major promise during the 2022 IPL season. Currently recovering from a finger injury in IPL 2025, Patidar made these explosive claims during an RCB podcast — even sharing a heartfelt story involving Virat Kohli that left him emotional.

Ignored After a Promise: The 2022 Betrayal

Patidar, now leading RCB, revisited a painful memory from IPL 2022. He revealed that RCB assured him a spot ahead of the auction, only to ignore him completely when the time came.

“Before the 2022 auction, I was told to stay ready. I thought I’d get another chance with RCB… but I was ignored. I was very disappointed,” Patidar said.

He was eventually brought into the squad only as a replacement for injured player Lavneith Sisodia, a move that left him hurt and angry.

“I had started playing local matches in Indore when the call came. I didn’t want to just sit in the dugout. I was upset with the franchise — even if just for a while.”

Kohli’s Support Changed Everything

Despite the initial disappointment, Patidar’s journey with RCB took a complete turn. In IPL 2025, he was named captain, and the moment was made even more special by Virat Kohli.

“I had many doubts when I was handed the captaincy. But Virat supported me wholeheartedly. He said, ‘You deserve it. You’ve earned it.’ That day was unforgettable.”

Kohli’s words gave Patidar the strength to accept the responsibility with confidence.

Patidar’s 2025 Season So Far

Though he’s been battling a finger injury, Patidar has played 11 matches, scoring 239 runs at an average of 23.90. His focus remains on bringing RCB its first-ever IPL title — a dream that continues to drive him.

Bottom Line

From betrayal to leadership, Rajat Patidar’s journey with RCB has been nothing short of dramatic. His candid revelation about the team’s broken promise in 2022 highlights the emotional rollercoaster many players silently endure — and how the right support, like that of Virat Kohli, can change everything.