Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) director of cricket Mo Bobat lauded Virat Kohli’s exceptional record over 18 IPL seasons, describing the superstar as the franchise’s “icon and hero” whose contributions have been unparalleled. Bobat emphasized that assembling a championship-winning squad was the least the team could do for Kohli, who has devoted his prime years entirely to RCB.
RCB enters the upcoming Indian Premier League as defending champions, having clinched their maiden title last season after an 18-year wait.
Speaking on the RCB Podcast, Bobat said, “Virat Kohli, obviously, I think he’ll forever be the icon and the hero of this team. I don’t think that’s going to go away, and he deserves that. His track record is incredible.” He highlighted Kohli’s consistency, noting that the star averages 500 runs per season for nearly two decades, surpassing 9,000 runs in total for a single franchise, including eight centuries.
Bobat added, “The best thing Andy Flower and I can do for him is give him a championship-winning team. He’s at that stage of his career where he wants to keep winning, and he wants strong players around him because he’s a winner.”
On leadership decisions, Bobat explained the rationale behind appointing Rajat Patidar as captain, taking over from Faf du Plessis. He noted that while du Plessis had been an exceptional leader, an Indian captain was considered vital for the franchise and long-term planning.
“We spent a lot of time thinking about that captaincy decision,” Bobat said. “It’s about the broader franchise, and it’s a responsibility that extends beyond just the current team management.”
Looking ahead to IPL 2026, Bobat said RCB’s focus is on chasing consecutive titles, not merely defending their championship. “We’re attacking. We’re chasing something else. We’re chasing back to back wins,” he said.
Kohli, who remains a key figure in the squad, has been consulted on leadership matters and has shown support for grooming future leaders within the team. Bobat concluded, “Virat is a bright guy. He got it quickly and is ready to step forward if needed, but he’s also supportive of empowering others.”