AB de Villiers, the former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) star, has expressed his belief that Virat Kohli is set to reclaim the captaincy of the franchise for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. This comes after several significant changes in the RCB squad, including the release of Faf du Plessis and the failure to bring in a high-profile player with leadership experience during the IPL Mega Auction.
Kohli, who captained RCB from 2013 to 2021, stepped down from the role ahead of the 2022 season. His decision was followed by the arrival of Faf du Plessis, who was handed the reins of the team. However, with Du Plessis no longer part of the team and RCB struggling to secure a captaincy replacement, there is growing speculation that Kohli will return to lead the side.
De Villiers, who played alongside Kohli at RCB for several years, feels that Kohli is the natural choice to take charge once again. In a recent video posted on his YouTube channel, De Villiers noted that while the official announcement had not yet been made, looking at the current squad, it was clear that Kohli was the most likely candidate. De Villiers emphasized that Kohli’s leadership qualities and experience with RCB, combined with the team’s current makeup, pointed to his eventual reappointment as the captain.
"Virat Kohli, I don't think it has been confirmed yet but he will be captain looking at the squad," De Villiers said in the video. Kohli, who is preparing for his 18th season with RCB, is one of the most successful and influential players in IPL history. His past tenure as captain was marked by numerous successful campaigns, though he never managed to win an IPL title. However, Kohli's leadership was instrumental in raising the profile of RCB and building a strong team culture.
RCB’s think tank, which includes head coach Andy Flower and director of cricket Mo Bobat, has hinted at Kohli’s potential return to the leadership role. Although there has been no official confirmation, both Flower and Bobat have stated that any decision regarding the captaincy will be announced in due course. De Villiers, however, is confident that the announcement will come soon, given the circumstances surrounding the squad and the leadership void left by Du Plessis' departure.
Virat Kohli’s return as RCB captain would mark a new chapter in his long association with the franchise, which began in 2008. His leadership has always been a key part of RCB’s strategy, even though the team has yet to win an IPL title under his captaincy. Nevertheless, his stature within the team and his experience make him an ideal candidate to lead once again.
The IPL 2025 season is shaping up to be an exciting one for RCB, with Kohli possibly stepping into the captaincy role once more. Fans of the franchise will eagerly await the official announcement as they hope that Kohli’s leadership could finally guide the team to its first IPL trophy.
