India’s ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has tipped Virat Kohli to captain Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the upcoming IPL 2025 season. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin analyzed RCB’s auction strategy and stated that the franchise appears to be banking on Kohli for leadership as no other clear captaincy options were explored during the auction. Kohli had previously stepped down as RCB captain after the 2021 season.
AB de Villiers Shares Similar Sentiment
Ashwin’s prediction aligns with former RCB player AB de Villiers, who had earlier expressed a belief that Kohli might reclaim the captaincy for the 2025 edition. Kohli, a central figure in RCB’s lineup and one of their most experienced players, is seen as the natural choice to lead the team as they continue their quest for a maiden IPL title.
Ashwin Lauds RCB’s Auction Strategy
Ashwin praised RCB for their well-thought-out approach during the IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah. The franchise secured key players like Tim David, Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Jitesh Sharma while sticking to a measured and strategic plan.
“I think RCB had a fantastic auction. They were calculated, waiting patiently and selecting players who fit their vision. Even though they had the funds, they didn’t rush into using their right-to-match cards, preferring to build a balanced squad,” Ashwin remarked.
He further noted, “RCB focused on assembling a team suited to their conditions and playing style. Instead of going after big names for the sake of it, they prioritized the overall composition of the squad.”
Leadership Still Unconfirmed
Despite the speculation, RCB’s management has yet to officially name their captain. Mo Bobat, RCB’s Director of Cricket, clarified during the auction that the franchise is keeping its options open.
“Virat is undoubtedly a key player and senior leader within the team. However, we haven’t finalized any decision regarding captaincy yet,” Bobat stated.
RCB’s Squad for IPL 2025
The final RCB squad for the 2025 season includes:
Batters: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar
All-Rounders: Liam Livingstone, Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell
Wicketkeepers: Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma
Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thushara, Swapnil Singh
With a balanced squad and a strong leadership candidate in Kohli, RCB will aim to break their title drought in IPL 2025. Fans eagerly await an official announcement regarding the captaincy and look forward to seeing how the team performs under their revamped lineup.
