In the wake of Faf du Plessis’ departure from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad, fans are eagerly speculating about who will take charge of the team in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Faf, who had captained RCB for the past three seasons, was bought by Delhi Capitals in the 2025 IPL mega auction, leaving a significant leadership gap in the squad. The top contender for the role has been none other than Virat Kohli, who had previously led RCB with distinction in past seasons.
RCB head coach’s response to the leadership speculations
RCB head coach Andy Flower addressed the ongoing speculation about the team’s new captain. While Flower acknowledged the mounting curiosity, he emphasized that a decision had not yet been made he conveyed that it’s the beginning of a new three-year cycle, emphasizing the need for patience as the outcome unfolds, while suggesting the anticipation will be exciting.
“Well, you’re going to have to wait for the outcome. It’s a new era that we are going into, start of a three-year cycle, and I’m sure the anticipation will be good for you,” Flower said in an interview with Sports Tak.
He further stated that discussions about the team’s captaincy have not yet taken place, despite repeated inquiries. “You can ask me as often as you like, but that communication has not happened yet,” Flower added.
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RCB’s captaincy options
While Kohli is widely regarded as a suitable candidate for the captaincy, given his vast experience and past leadership record, RCB has several other seasoned players who could step up. The squad boasts players like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya, both of whom have considerable experience as captains in domestic cricket, particularly in the shorter format.
Another viable option could be Phil Salt, who has previously captained the England T20I side. With such a rich pool of leadership talent within the team, RCB has a variety of options to consider as they look to build a competitive squad for IPL 2025.