'It was all about Kohli, ABD and Gayle': Parthiv Patel exposes RCB as he says there is no team culture in IPL franchise

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has weighed in on why Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have not been able to win an Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy. Patel said that stars like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle were given special treatment during his time at RCB and the team culture was non-existent. 
 

“I played for RCB, I've have been there for four years. The team is always about individuals it's not about the team. And then everyone will come out of that team will say that,” the 39-year-old said on Cyrus Says podcast.
 

“Because it's all about Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle when I was in the team. So they were given the kind of special preference always so there the team culture was not there you can see clearly when they are playing, and that is the reason why they haven't won the trophies. That's the fact,” he added. 
 

The last time RCB qualified for the final was in the 2016 edition under Kohli’s captaincy when they were beaten by David Warner-led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). After Kohli relinquished captaincy, Faf du Plessis-led RCB have reached playoffs twice in three years but haven’t reached the final. In the IPL 2024 season, RCB made a miraculous comeback at the league stage to qualify for playoffs but lost in the eliminator. 

ALSO READ: India's outgoing batting coach Vikram Rathour names two players who can replace Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and become team's 'backbone'
 

Parthiv’s IPL numbers and title wins

Parthiv had a 12-year-long IPL career and played for six franchises -- Chennai Super Kings (CSK), now-defunct Deccan Chargers and Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Mumbai Indians (MI), RCB and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). He was a member of CSK's IPL 2010 winning team. In 2015 and 2017 when Rohit Sharma-led MI to title wins, Patel was a part of the squad as well.

ALSO READ: Marsh made captain in ODIs too in absence of Cummins for Scotland and England tour; Wade replaced by 20-year-old batter
 

New captain for RCB?

RCB are unlikely to retain Du Plessis as their captain. Like they did ahead of IPL 2022 season, the franchise is likely to rope in a new captain in the mega auction. 
 

Months ahead of next mega auction, RCB have roped in recently-retired Dinesh Karthik as their head coach who has promised that the team will lift their maiden trophy.
 

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