Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will have a new captain in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 after parting ways with Faf du Plessis. While Royal Challengers Bengaluru have not made an official announcement, many fans and experts believe Virat Kohli will return as the captain for the upcoming season.
Kohli’s leadership with RCB started in 2011 and 2012 before he became the full-time captain in 2013. Virat Kohli led the team to the finals in 2016 and stepped down after the 2021 season. However, the right-handed batter has played a key role in the dressing room, leading the team in a few matches in the IPL 2023.
We Have Multiple Leaders in the Team – RCB’s COO Rajesh Menon
In a recent interview with Sports Tak, RCB’s COO Rajesh Menon was asked about Virat Kohli’s return as captain for IPL 2025. He stated that no decision has been made yet, as the team has several leaders. Menon added that discussions are still ongoing and a conclusion will be reached in due time.
“Currently we have not decided anything. We have multiple leaders in the team. 4-5 leaders are there. We have not deliberated what we need to do. We will deliberate, and we will come to a conclusion.”
Virat Kohli Remains a Strong Contender for RCB Captaincy in IPL 2025
During the IPL 2025 mega auction, RCB made key signings like Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, among others. After the IPL 2025 mega auction, RCB has limited options for captaincy. Virat Kohli remains a strong contender, given his past leadership and international experience.
Virat Kohli even stepped in as captain during the 2023 season when Faf du Plessis was injured. The 36-year-old led RCB to 66 wins in 143 matches, with a win percentage of 48.56%. Other players, such as Rajat Patidar, Krunal Pandya, Liam Livingstone, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Phil Salt, have captaincy experience.
People Thought We Were Not Participating in the Auction – Rajesh Menon
During the same conversation, Rajesh Menon shared insights into the team’s strategy for IPL 2025. He highlighted how the franchise carefully identified gaps to fill and the Indian core needed for the squad. Menon pointed out that both fans and experts praised RCB’s acquisitions by the end of Day 2.
“We were very clear in terms of what kind of gaps we have and what all we need to fulfill and what is the Indian core that we require to build, and if you want to play in M Chinnaswamy (Stadium), what kind of bowling attack we require. And that is what we did,” Menon said.
“If you see Day 1, it was low-key for us. People thought we were not participating in the auction, but at the end of Day 2, everybody, right from fans to experts, felt saying what we have done is the best because we have covered all the gaps, and I think we have got one of the best teams.”
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