IPL 2025: Rohit Sharma told to captain RCB

Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif stated that Rohit Sharma should only play as a skipper in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) season.

Mohammed Kaif suggested that Rohit Sharma should consider leaving the Mumbai Indians (MI) and consider joining the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

As the IPL 2025 season approaches, excitement is building about retentions. All 10 franchises now have the opportunity to retain key players to maintain their core teams, while some players' unexpected names may enter the mega auction, which is expected to take place later this year, possibly overseas.

Rohit was replaced as captain of the Mumbai Indians (MI) by Hardik Pandya before the 2024 season.

However, this move did not yield positive results, as MI had one of its worst IPL performances. There have been speculations about Rohit already playing his last IPL match for the Mumbai Indians.

Rohit Sharma Should Only Play As A Captain - Mohammed Kaif

It is uncertain whether Mumbai Indians will retain Rohit for the IPL 2025. Speaking with Star Sports, Mohammed Kaif urged Royal Challengers Bengaluru to grab the opportunity to acquire Rohit and appoint him as their captain. Kaif added that Rohit has only 2-3 years left in his IPL career.

"Rohit Sharma should only play as a captain. He is such a big player and recently led India to a T20 World Cup win. He will surely have offers. I know because people must have been ringing him up with offers," Kaif said.

"But I feel he should only take up the captaincy role in whichever franchise he goes. And Rohit Sharma should leave. He has just 2-3 years left in his IPL career, and those years should be spent as a captain because of what he can do on the field; very few people have that ability," he added.

Virat Kohli has been with RCB since the IPL's inception in 2008 but has yet to secure a title for the team. Kohli is the leading run-getter in the 2024 season. Kohli, along with Rohit and Ravindra Jadeja, retired from international T20 cricket following India’s victory in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in June.

RCB Must Convince Rohit Sharma To Take Up Captaincy - Mohammed Kaif

Mohammed Kaif said that Royal Challengers Bengaluru must convince Rohit Sharma to take up the captaincy for the IPL 2025. Kaif added that Rohit's inclusion could help RCB finally clinch their first IPL trophy.

"RCB should take that chance, 100 percent, by hook or by crook, they must convince him to take up the captaincy. Rohit knows very well how to form an XI so RCB will have the advantage if he is picked and probably their trophy drought could also end," Kaif further added.

Faf Du Plessis led RCB for the past three seasons, but the franchise is reportedly looking for an Indian leader. KL Rahul is seen as a contender, especially with uncertainty surrounding his future at the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). There are rumors that RCB might approach Kohli to resume the captaincy.

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