IPL Auction 2025: Virat Kohli's RCB captaincy bid falls flat

Star Indian batter Virat Kohli is set to return to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) after being retained ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) mega auction. Kohli is unlikely to captain the Bengaluru team in the next season amidst the reports of stepping into the leadership role again.

The Royal Challengers have retained three players for the 2025 IPL season. Virat Kohli is the top pick in the list for a price of a whopping Rs 21 crore. Rajat Patidar (Rs 11 crore) and uncapped pacer Yash Dayal (Rs 5 crore) are also included as the franchise made a major overhaul before the mega auction.

Virat Kohli to Lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025?

Earlier reported that Virat Kohli is set to take over as Bengaluru's captain for the upcoming IPL season, following discussions with the management. Faf du Plessis (40 years), who led the RCB team from 2022 to 2024, was not retained by the team and is unlikely to become captain again due to his age factor.

However, sports journalist Rohit Juglan hinted that Kohli is unlikely to return as Royal Challengers Bengaluru's captain during the IPL 2025 season.

"Some IPL updates - - Virat Kohli Captaining RCB not looking very strong now - Mumbai Indians likely go for KL Rahul - Shami & Umran for GT, yes there are chances," Rohit Juglan wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Some IPL updates -
- Virat Kohli Captaining RCB not looking very strong now
- Mumbai Indians likely go for KL Rahul
- Shami & Umran for GT, yes there are chances

— रोहित जुगलान Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) November 11, 2024

I Will Continue To Be An RCB Player - Virat Kohli

The Royal Challengers have to pick their captain during the mega auction. The 36-year-old cricketer led the team from 2013 to 2021 and guided them to the playoffs four times, but the team didn’t win the title in the tournament. Kohli stepped down from captaincy in 2021 and also left India's T20I captaincy.

Virat recently stated that he will remain with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru until his last IPL game. He thanked the fans for their support over the years, adding that their memories will stay with him for life.

“I will continue to be an RCB player till I play my last game in the IPL,” Kohli had said three years ago. “I will continue to be committed to playing for this franchise as I said till the last day of me playing IPL... for you guys, for the fans, because of what you've done for me and how you've made me feel over the last so many years that is going to stay with me for the rest of my life,” Kohli said.

Virat Kohli's IPL Captaincy Journey - RCB Performance by Season

Also read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India's participation blocked by International Board; Replacement asked