Rajat Patidar's statement, "Virat Kohli deserves it more than anyone else," came after leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2025. This victory ended an 18-year wait for the franchise. Patidar dedicated the historic win to Kohli, acknowledging his unwavering commitment and contributions to the team over the years . Before the final against Punjab Kings, Patidar emphasized the team's motivation to win the title for Kohli, stating, "We need to do our best for Virat Kohli." He highlighted Kohli's 18-year dedication to RCB and the significance of securing the championship as a tribute to his legacy . Kohli, in turn, expressed his full support for Patidar's leadership. Upon Patidar's appointment as captain, Kohli remarked, "This is very well deserved, the entire team is behind you, you'll have all our support." He encouraged fans to back the new captain, reflecting a strong mentor-mentee relationship between the two . This mutual respect and support culminated in RCB's long-awaited IPL triumph, marking a significant milestone in the franchise's history.