IPL 2025: AB de Villiers blocks Rohit Sharma's RCB move, confirms Faf du Plessis will remain captain

Legendary South Africa National Cricket Team and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batsman, AB de Villiers, has opined that the modern-day great Rohit Sharma will not be leaving the Mumbai Indians (MI) and will continue to stay with the franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 and beyond.

According to AB de Villiers, there is only a 0.1 percent chance of Rohit Sharma moving from Mumbai Indians (MI) to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and the Proteas great feels it would be the biggest switch in IPL history.

Rohit Sharma All Set To Leave Mumbai Indians?

There have been speculations of Rohit Sharma leaving Mumbai Indians (MI) ever since he was sacked as the skipper of the franchise. Notably, the 5-time Champions Mumbai Indians traded in star all-rounder Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans (GT) ahead of IPL 2024 and handed him the leadership.

Hardik Pandya leaving Gujarat Titans came as a major shock because he had a highly successful stint with the franchise, reaching two finals and winning one championship.

However, Hardik Pandya was not able to replicate his success at MI, as the team finished at the bottom of the table in the Indian Premier League 2024. Pandya and Mumbai Indians were brutally criticized by the fans and calls were made to reappoint Rohit as skipper.

Rohit Sharma On Radar Of Several Franchises

As the speculations of Rohit Sharma's MI exit grew, reports emerged claiming that the Lucknow Super Giants are interested in roping in the Indian captain.

This is because they are reportedly unhappy with KL Rahul and are likely to part ways with him. The reports also suggest that KL Rahul is likely to join Royal Challengers Bengaluru as a skipper because the franchise is not interested in retaining the 40-year-old Faf du Plessis due to the age factor.

Recently, Mohammad Kaif suggested that instead of KL Rahul, Royal Challengers Bengaluru should target Rohit Sharma as their new captain. He stated that Rohit's addition to RCB could also end their IPL trophy drought and the franchise should go all-out to pick the batter.

That will be quite a story if Rohit moves from Mumbai Indians to RCB - AB de Villiers

Meanwhile, the legendary Proteas batsman AB de Villiers did a Q&A session with fans on his YouTube channel where he rejected the idea of Rohit Sharma switching to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

“I almost laughed at the Rohit comment. That will be quite a story if Rohit moves from Mumbai Indians to RCB. Wow! Imagine the headlines. It will be bigger than Hardik Pandya's move. He moved from Gujarat Titans back to Mumbai, which although wasn't big a surprise. But if Rohit moves from Mumbai to join his rivals in RCB...oh my god! I don't think there is an option there. I don't see a possibility of MI leaving Rohit. I will give that zero or 0.1 per cent chance,” he said.

AB de Villiers, who is also a very good friend of Virat Kohli, added that age is just a number and Kohli, along with RCB, will back Faf du Plessis to stay as the skipper in Indian Premier League 2025.

“Age is just a number, guys. I don't see why his turning 40 would be an issue. He has been there for a few seasons, and the players are used to him. I understand there has been pressure on him because he hasn't won the trophy for RCB, but he has been exceptional as a player. I think Virat will back him with all his experience,” the legendary batsman further added in the same session.