We want to win it for Kohli: Patidar

Virat Kohli has given 18 years of his senior cricket career to Royal Challengers Bengaluru and their first-time skipper Rajat Patidar understands what it would mean for the team to win the coveted IPL title for one of country's bonafide cricket legends.

RCB have played three finals (in 2009, 2011 and 2016) and have ended up on the losing side on all occasions with Kohli's individual brilliance not enough for them to end their title drought.

"Of course, I think he has given a lot of years to RCB and the international side also. We will try to do our best in the game," Patidar said.

When asked if focus on one player alone was frustrating given RCB have been one of the most dominant sides in this competition, Patidar replied, "I think it is not frustrating for me. We are not looking on the stage that we are in the finals. We will try to play our best cricket. We are not playing here for the stage. I always like to keep things simple."

The Kohli factor has certainly weighed heavily on RCB drawing strong crowd support even while playing away from home and Patidar said that gives them a feeling of being on their home ground. "Wherever we go, we feel that it is a home ground for us given the way the crowd shows its support and love," he said.

For Patidar, it will be a big challenge given he was appointed RCB's captain only before the start of the tournament, while the leader in the opposition camp, Shreyas Iyer, won the IPL with his former franchise Kolkata Knight Riders last year. Patidar said for him it would be essential to create a good environment for his players.