Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batting star Virat Kohli hailed Rajat Patidar's rise from being an injury replacement to becoming the IPL-winning captain. The right-handed batter believes it's a turnaround for the ages and gifted the RCB skipper one of his bats as a video of the same surfaced on social media.
Patidar was part of RCB's squad in 2021 but was released ahead of the 2022 edition before being signed back as an injury replacement. With Faf du Plessis getting released, RCB took a punt on appointing Patidar captain ahead of Kohli. Along with mustering 312 runs in 15 matches, the 32-year-old has managed to led the franchise to IPL trophy in his first attempt as skipper.
In a video surfaced on social media from the dressing room, Kohli told Patidar:
"What a turnaorund. Injury replacement to IPL-winning captain. Bloody hell, that's a turnaround."
Virat Kohli's emotions caps off RCB's long wait to lift IPL trophy
With Josh Hazlewood tasked with bowling the 20th over of the innings and Punjab Kings needing an improbable 29 for victory, the right-arm seamer had sealed the win in the first two balls itself as it went as dots.
The cameras panned to Virat Kohli, whose eyes were already moist as he was overcome with emotions. Shashank Singh dished out three sixes in the last four deliveries but the game was done and dusted and RCB eked out a six-run win to lift their maiden title.
Krunal Pandya earned the Player of the Match award for his figures of 4-0-17-2, dismissing Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis.
