There might be a pleasant surprise in store for the Virat Kohli fans. For those who missed 'King Kohli' in the captain's role in the Indian Premier League, the upcoming edition of the tournament might see the 35-year-old back as the skipper for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Kohli captained the side from 2013 to 2021, but failed to win the IPL title. RCB reached the final in 2016, but lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad. The 35-year-old passed on the baton to South African star Faf du Plessis, who led the side from 2022 to 2024.
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Ahead of the IPL mega auction in November, the RCB seem to have gone back to Kohli for the captain's role, as per a report in Times of India. The franchise was, reportedly, in talks with young Indian opener Shubman Gill for the role, but it did not work out. RCB are also planning to get wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant on board, the report says.
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Kohli, while stepping down as the skipper, had reiterated that he will always play for RCB in the IPL. He has been part of the leadership group at the franchise even after stepping down as the captain.
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Virat Kohli to step down from RCB captaincy after #IPL2021
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) September 19, 2021
“This will be my last IPL as captain of RCB. I’ll continue to be an RCB player till I play my last IPL game. I thank all the RCB fans for believing in me and supporting me.”: Virat Kohli#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/QSIdCT8QQM
With Kohli set to return as captain, it is almost certain that du Plessis, 40, will not be retained by the RCB.
The former India skipper retired from T20Is after the T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year.
