Former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) legend AB de Villiers has sparked speculation that Virat Kohli might reclaim the captaincy for the IPL 2025 season. Speaking on his YouTube channel, de Villiers shared his thoughts on the team’s newly formed squad and suggested that Kohli is the likely candidate to lead the side in the upcoming campaign.
RCB recently finalized a 22-member squad during the two-day auction but has yet to announce its captain for the season. Kohli, who led the franchise from 2011 to 2021, could make a comeback as skipper, a move that fans are eagerly anticipating. Under Kohli’s leadership, RCB reached the IPL final in 2016, marking one of the team’s most successful seasons.
“I don’t think it’s been confirmed yet, but I believe he’ll be the captain. Looking at the squad, it seems like a logical choice,” de Villiers said, fueling excitement among RCB supporters.
Options for Captaincy: Kohli Leads the Conversation
RCB’s auction picks include experienced players like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya, both of whom have leadership experience. Bhuvneshwar has served as a stand-in captain for Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Krunal leads Baroda in domestic cricket. However, neither has captained an IPL team for a full season, leaving Kohli as the frontrunner for the role.
A Balanced Squad with a Few Gaps
Sharing his thoughts on the squad, de Villiers expressed satisfaction with RCB’s player pool, particularly its pace attack. The team secured seasoned players like Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and also added Lungi Ngidi, whose slower deliveries can be a valuable asset.
However, RCB missed out on key targets like Kagiso Rabada and Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin was picked up by Chennai Super Kings, a move de Villiers praised, though he acknowledged RCB’s lack of a standout spinner who can turn the ball both ways.
“We are happy with the pace attack, but we do miss a match-winning spinner, especially for home games at Chinnaswamy Stadium. It’s a slight weakness we need to address,” de Villiers remarked.
The Need for a Mid-Season Transfer Window
Highlighting the need for flexibility, de Villiers suggested that the IPL could benefit from a mid-season transfer window, allowing teams to adjust their squads.
“On the road, we might struggle without a wrist spinner who can turn the ball both ways. A transfer window could solve that issue mid-tournament. Alternatively, we could explore options from the unsold players’ list,” de Villiers proposed.
RCB Fans Await Captaincy Announcement
While fans eagerly await an official announcement, the possibility of Virat Kohli’s return as RCB captain has already created a buzz. With a well-rounded squad and some fine-tuning, RCB aims to make Chinnaswamy Stadium a fortress and end their long wait for an IPL title in 2025.
