The excitement for IPL 2025 is reaching a fever pitch, especially for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans. In a recent development, Mo Bobat, RCB’s Director of Cricket, hinted at a possible captaincy role for Virat Kohli while keeping the official announcement under wraps. This revelation came after Kohli, retained for a whopping Rs 21 crores ahead of the IPL 2025 Auction, shared some 'hot text messages' with the management, offering critical feedback on team strategy and decisions.
Kohli, a cornerstone of RCB since the franchise’s inception, was retained alongside Rajat Patidar (Rs 11 crore) and Yash Dayal (Rs 5 crore). Meanwhile, RCB boldly released last season’s captain, Faf du Plessis, fueling speculation about Kohli reclaiming the leadership mantle. Bobat commented, 'Virat is a senior figure in the team and continues to play a vital role. However, no captaincy decision has been finalized yet.'
RCB’s auction table buzzed with high-stakes bids as they secured England opener Phil Salt for Rs 11.50 crores and Indian wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma for Rs 11 crores. These acquisitions reflect a strategic focus on bolstering their top-order firepower.
Adding to their formidable lineup, RCB welcomed England all-rounder Liam Livingstone for Rs 8.75 crores and brought back Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood for the same amount. Veteran Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar joined the squad for Rs 10.75 crores, providing depth to their bowling attack. Other notable signings include Rasikh Dar (Rs 6 crore), Krunal Pandya (Rs 5.75 crore), and young spinner Suyash Sharma (Rs 2.6 crore).
Former RCB player and cricket icon Dinesh Karthik expressed excitement over Josh Hazlewood’s re-signing. 'Josh Hazlewood is a game-changer. His performance in the year we qualified was phenomenal. Having him back strengthens our bowling unit immensely,' Karthik shared.
As the dust settles on the auction, the question remains: will Virat Kohli return as RCB’s captain? With a star-studded squad and strategic acquisitions, RCB fans are optimistic about ending their long wait for an IPL trophy. Bobat’s cryptic hints and Kohli’s evident commitment suggest that the team’s leadership announcement will be thrilling for the cricketing world.
With IPL 2025 shaping into a fiercely competitive season, all eyes are on RCB and its pursuit of glory. Will this be the year Bengaluru reigns supreme? Only time will tell.
Also Read: RCB Full Squad IPL 2025: Complete List of Players Bought in IPL Auction
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