Virat Kohli Is “Definitely A Leader”: Harshal Patel

Virat Kohli may not be the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), but bowler Harshal Patel believes Kohli is “certainly a leader” whether or not he is captaining the team. Kohli’s IPL captaincy came to an end on Monday after RCB lost by four wickets to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Eliminator.

Harshal Patel praised Kohli and thanked him for his years of leadership to RCB. “Virat allows bowlers to have their space while you carry out your ideas. He has my gratitude. Since 2012, I’ve learned a lot from playing with him. There are captains and leaders when it comes to his captaincy. He is definitely a leader “In the post-match press conference, Harshal said.

“It doesn’t make him any less of a leader just because he won’t have the title of captain. I just want to express my gratitude for his contributions to the team and my development, as well as for his support anytime I needed it “he said.

Kohli declared that he would step down as captain of the franchise after the current season of the IPL 2021 in the UAE.

Kohli joined Royal Challengers Bangalore as a regular captain in 2013, and he has been a part of the organisation as a player since the IPL began in 2008.

“We’re going to honour him for his contributions. It would have been lovely to hold a trophy in our hands to commemorate the occasion. It wasn’t meant to be, though. His contribution has been enormous, and we will undoubtedly honour him for it “Harshal stated.

RCB reached the IPL finals in 2016 under Virat Kohli’s leadership, and it was during that season that Kohli set a new record for the most runs scored by a batsman in a single season.

However, RCB struggled following that, as the team missed the playoffs for three years in a row before eventually breaking the mark in 2020.

Kohli led his team to 66 wins, 70 losses, and four no-results in 140 IPL matches.