RCB’s Leadership Dilemma
With Faf du Plessis moving to Delhi Capitals, speculation is rife about Virat Kohli’s potential return as captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. However, the franchise’s COO, Rajesh Menon, has clarified that no decision has been made yet.
RCB Exploring Multiple Captaincy Options
While Kohli is a fan-favorite to reclaim the leadership, other candidates like Rajat Patidar and experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar are also in the mix. Speaking to Sports Tak, Menon revealed that RCB has yet to finalize their captain.
“Currently, we have not decided anything. We have multiple leaders in the team. 4-5 leaders are there. We have not deliberated on what we need to do. We will deliberate, and we will come to a conclusion,” said Menon.
A Mixed IPL 2025 Auction for RCB
RCB had an eventful mega auction, securing some big names but still raising questions about their overall squad strength. They picked up star all-rounder Liam Livingstone, hard-hitting batter Phil Salt, veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and versatile all-rounders like Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, and Tim David. While some experts believe they could have done better, Menon insists they have addressed all gaps.
RCB’s Strategy in the Auction
Menon highlighted that the franchise focused on building a balanced squad that suits the conditions at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
“We were very clear in terms of what kind of gaps we have and what all we need to fulfill. We wanted to strengthen our Indian core and ensure our bowling attack is suited for our home ground. Initially, it seemed like we weren’t active in the auction, but by the end of Day 2, everyone—from experts to fans—acknowledged that we had built a solid squad,” Menon explained.
RCB’s Squad for IPL 2025
Here’s the complete squad for RCB in IPL 2025:
- Batters: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone, Tim David, Jacob Bethell
- All-rounders: Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Romario Shepherd, Manoj Bhandage
- Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Nuwan Thushara
Can RCB Finally End Their Trophy Drought?
With a mix of experienced players and promising young talents, RCB will be looking to break their IPL title jinx in 2025. Whether Kohli takes up the captaincy or RCB chooses a fresh leader, the team’s fans will be hoping for a historic season.(cricket betting tips)