Rajat Patidar Recalls Being Handed RCB's Captaincy Plaque By Virat Kohli: 'I Was...'

Sports Cricket

Posted by AI on 2025-05-15 11:34:04 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-08 04:37:11

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Indian cricketer Rajat Patidar has become the latest player to speak up about experiencing unrealistic expectations and undue pressure when handed a plaque by his former captain Virat Kohli to mark his upcoming captaincy of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Patidar reveals that the plaque, handed to him at a press conference by Kohli, who Patidar calls his "idol", actually created an undue pressure that led to his poor performance in the following match.

The incident reminds cricketers and fans alike that the immense pressure and sky-high expectations that come with being a part of the high-profile IPL can be a burden as much as a blessing for players, who are often on the chopping block if they don't perform well enough on the field. As Patidar shares, "It was a great feeling to be handed the plaque by my idol...But, it also brought some pressure and added responsibility."

The pressure proved too much for Patidar during his next match, as he scored only eight runs before being bowled out. He believes that the pressure of living up to expectations after the plaque presentation led to his disappointing performance. For Patidar, the incident "was definitely a learning experience" and helped him realize the perils of letting external pressures dictate his gameplay.

It remains to be seen how the experience will affect Patidar's confidence and gameplay, as well as how the RCB franchise will address the issue of placing players under such pressure at a time when they should be at their most confident and relaxed. As Patidar concludes, "I have learnt a lot and want to keep getting better and make the most of the opportunities."

Go!