Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra recently shared his thoughts on Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) retentions ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. Aakash Chopra stated that star batter Virat Kohli might reassume the captaincy role for the upcoming season of the IPL.
The Bengaluru-based team advanced to the playoffs in the IPL 2024 despite losing seven games in the initial eight matches. Virat Kohli played a crucial role in RCB’s resurgence in the recently concluded season. However, the Faf du Plessis-led team suffered a loss in “Eliminator” against the Rajasthan Royals (RR).
Virat Kohli was the leading run-getter in the tournament. Kohli scored 741 runs in 15 matches at an impressive average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69. The right-handed batter smashed one century and five fifties in the IPL 2024. He scored 158 runs more than second-placed Ruturaj Gaikwad in the batting charts.
Virat Kohli Comes As The First Retention – Aakash Chopra
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that Virat Kohli will be RCB’s first retention ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Chopra also highlighted the possibility that Kohli may resume leadership responsibilities.
“One guy to retain is Virat Kohli. Of course, he comes as the first retention and you need to keep Virat Kohli with you, both Bengaluru and Kohli believe that. So I am seeing another three-year retention. For all we know, Virat Kohli might want to be the leader again, or else you have to go shopping for a leader,” Chopra said.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru retained only Virat Kohli ahead of the IPL 2011 auction. The Delhi-born cricketer was signed for $1.8 million (around Rs 8.28 crore). Before the IPL 2022 mega auction, the Bengaluru-based franchise retained Kohli for Rs 15 crore, along with Glenn Maxwell and Mohammed Siraj.
Faf du Plessis Might Not Be On The Retention – Aakash Chopra
The former India opener believes that Royal Challengers Bengaluru may not retain Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Alzarri Joseph, and Lockie Ferguson for the next IPL season. Chopra explained that du Plessis might not be retained due to his age, considering the team’s long-term focus.
“I feel Faf du Plessis might not be on the retention list for the simple reason that you are looking at a three-year future and Faf is not getting younger by the day. It’s a pivotal moment where you have to decide between immediate future and long-term gain.”
“So Faf might be released there. I don’t think they would want to retain Glenn Maxwell at all. They will say tata bye-bye. Alzarri Joseph, Lockie Ferguson – tata bye-bye to everyone,” Chopra further added.
Faf du Plessis was RCB’s second-highest run scorer in the IPL 2024. The RCB skipper amassed 438 runs at an average of 29.20 and a strike rate of 161.62 in 15 innings. Glenn Maxwell had a disappointing season with the bat, scoring just 52 runs at an average of 5.78 in nine innings, including four ducks.
In the bowling department, Lockie Ferguson picked up nine wickets at an economy rate of 10.62 in seven innings this season. Alzarri Joseph managed a solitary scalp and conceded an average of 11.89 runs per over in three games.
Also read: T20 World Cup 2024: India vs Pakistan match on the radar of terrorism, New York Police beefs up security
