Virat Kohli is expected to take on the captaincy role for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for a second stint in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Reports suggest that Kohli will replace Faf du Plessis, who has been leading the franchise since 2022. According to the Times of India, Kohli expressed interest in returning as RCB’s captain during a recent meeting with team management.
While Faf du Plessis led RCB effectively and reached the playoffs in two of the last three seasons, his age at 40 could be a factor in the transition. RCB fans, who have shown unwavering support for the team, are hopeful that Kohli’s leadership can finally break their title drought.
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Despite never securing an IPL championship, RCB has consistently drawn one of the league’s most loyal fan bases, eager to see the coveted trophy brought home. The decision to appoint Kohli as captain ahead of the mega auction also gives RCB an advantage, as they won’t need to spend their auction purse on acquiring a new captain.
🚨 CAPTAIN KOHLI IS BACK…!!! 🚨
Virat Kohli set to return as RCB captain in IPL 2025. (Sahil Malhotra/TOI). pic.twitter.com/QaaG2wazbP
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 30, 2024
While Virat Kohli’s return to captaincy adds experience and an aggressive edge, RCB’s final squad will depend heavily on the upcoming auction, where management could bring in fresh talent. Kohli’s first tenure as RCB’s captain spanned from 2013 to 2021, during which the team made it to the playoffs four times and had a remarkable run to the finals in 2016.
RCB had shown interest in signing Shubman Gill for the 2025 season, though that move didn’t come through. Additionally, Rishabh Pant has been on RCB’s radar, though no formal steps have been taken in that direction.
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Kohli will be stepping into the role fresh off a stellar IPL season, where he won the Orange Cap after scoring 741 runs at an impressive average of 61.75. This momentum will fuel his ambition to add an IPL title to his achievements, a trophy that has eluded both him and the franchise since the league’s inception.
