New Delhi: Virat Kohli is reportedly unlikely to return as the captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. RCB have called for a ‘special media gathering’ on Thursday, February 13 where the franchise is also expected to confirm the captain for the upcoming season. However, it might not be Kohli.
While it might come as a disappointment for RCB fans around the world, a report in the Times of India has claimed that Kohli will not take up the leadership role. As per the report, Kohli did hold discussions with the RCB team management about returning as captain but he may not take up the role and has indicated the same.
Kohli’s change of mind left RCB scrambling for options at the last minute as the franchise didn’t went for any outright captaincy contender at the IPL 2025 mega auction last year. Many believed RCB would go in for local lad KL Rahul, who could have been an ideal captaincy contender, but the franchise were not interested in securing the services of the India star, hinting the plan was to bring Kohli back as captain.
However, now that Kohli has reportedly declined to take the leadership role, the franchise is looking for leadership options within the squad. They have reportedly zeroed down on two Indian names to lead the franchise in IPL 2025.
Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya in race for RCB captaincy
As per the report in the Times of India, Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya are the contenders to lead RCB in IPL 2025. While Patidar, a consistent performer with the bat, has emerged as the frontrunner, Pandya is also an option for RCB and the team management rated the all-rounder’s leadership credentials.
Patidar emerged as the frontrunner after the RCB team management held discussions with the senior Indian players in their squad. Patidar led Madhya Pradesh to the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this year where they lost against Mumbai.
Patidar played a key role in MP’s run to the final with 428 runs in 9 innings at an impressive strike rate of 186.08. He was the second-highest run-getter in the tournament behind Ajinkya Rahane. The Madhya Pradesh batter joined RCB as a replacement for injured Luvnith Sisodia in IPL 2022 and instantly made an impression by cracking a century against Lucknow Super Giants.
There has been no looking back ever since for the batter, who has notched up 799 runs in 27 matches for RCB at a strike rate of 158.85, including 7 fifties and a solitary ton. Patidar was retained by RCB for Rs 11 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction last year.
Virat Kohli is reportedly unlikely to become the new captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of IPL 2025. Two Indian players are in contention to lead RCB next season. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
