Will Virat Kohli Lead RCB Again? AB de Villiers Drops a Major Hint
Former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli might return as the team's leader in the upcoming IPL season. South African legend and ex-RCB star AB de Villiers has hinted at this possibility during a recent video shared on his YouTube channel.
Kohli’s Legacy as RCB Captain
Virat Kohli previously led RCB for nine seasons, captaining the team in 143 matches. Under his leadership, the franchise secured 66 wins but also faced 70 losses. The team’s best performance under Kohli was reaching the IPL 2016 final, where they were defeated by Sunrisers Hyderabad. In 2021, Kohli stepped down as captain, and the reins were handed over to Faf du Plessis.
Faf led the team to the playoffs in 2022 and 2024, but RCB missed the playoffs in 2023. Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, RCB released du Plessis and did not use the Right to Match (RTM) option to retain him, leaving the captaincy spot open for the next season.
What AB de Villiers Said
In his statement, AB de Villiers expressed confidence in Kohli’s leadership. He said, "I don't think Virat Kohli’s captaincy is confirmed yet, but looking at the team, it seems likely he will take on the role again."
De Villiers also shared his thoughts on the players RCB has retained and acquired. He praised the inclusion of experienced bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Lungi Ngidi, calling them crucial additions to strengthen the team’s bowling attack.
RCB’s Squad for IPL 2025
RCB retained only three players before the mega auction:
- Virat Kohli (₹21 crore)
- Rajat Patidar (₹11 crore)
- Yash Dayal (₹4 crore)
During the auction, RCB acquired 19 players, spending ₹82.25 crore to bolster their squad. With this refreshed lineup and the possibility of Kohli returning as captain, fans are eagerly awaiting the upcoming IPL season.