NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) appear set for a fresh chapter under Virat Kohli‘s leadership in the 2025 IPL season, with the franchise assembling a strong 22-member squad during the recent auction in Jeddah. Kohli, who previously captained the side from 2013 to 2021, is poised to return as captain following discussions with the management as reported earlier by TimeofIndia.com.
Kohli’s leadership tenure saw RCB make the playoffs four times and come tantalizingly close to winning the title in 2016. The prospect of him leading the franchise again has reignited hope among fans eager for their team to secure a maiden IPL title. Former RCB icon AB de Villiers also hinted at Kohli’s return to captaincy while expressing optimism about the squad.
“I don’t think it has been confirmed yet, but he will be the captain, I think, looking at the squad,” de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.
The franchise made some calculated moves at the two-day auction, including acquiring Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood for Rs 12.50 crore, the highest among their buys. They also bid for marquee players like Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul but stayed within limits, reflecting their confidence in Kohli’s return as skipper. Notably, the team did not pursue a reunion with former captain Faf du Plessis, opting instead to focus on building depth and balance.
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De Villiers lauded RCB’s strategy, especially in forming a formidable pace attack with Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Lungi Ngidi in the fold. “We got Bhuvneshwar Kumar, happy with Josh Hazlewood. Rabada was close, but at least we got Ngidi. He’s got a wonderful slower ball. If he is in form and fit, he is a force to be reckoned with,” he said.
However, the South African great pointed out the lack of a match-winning spinner who can turn the ball both ways, a potential gap in the squad. “We missed out on Ravichandran Ashwin. CSK got him, but it’s good to see him back in yellow. I feel we are missing a wrist spinner who can turn it both ways. We need it, especially during away games.”
De Villiers suggested that RCB might look at the list of unsold players to address this shortfall. Alternatively, he proposed a mid-season transfer window as a way to bolster the squad. “I wish the IPL and the BCCI would bring in a transfer window. Halfway through the tournament, you could make transfers or pick up players from the unsold list. It’s something to think about,” he added.
RCB’s squad now comprises 19 auction buys and three retained players. The franchise, still seeking its first IPL title, will hope Kohli’s return to captaincy and the newly assembled squad can finally end their long-standing wait for glory.
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