IPL 2021: Virat Kohli to step down as RCB captain. What’s next for the franchise

Having lead Royal Challengers Bangalore since 2013, Virat Kohli announced that he will step down from the post after IPL 2021. This announcement from the Indian Test skipper comes three days after he said he will give up the Indian T20 team’s captaincy post the World Cup this year.

Kohli will no longer remain captain in the year the IPL will go into the mega auctions. The franchises will be, as per reports, allowed to retain four players. While RCB are expected to retain their mainstays, a hunt for Kohli’s successor would be on their mind. 

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AB de Villiers as captain?

AB de Villiers in 37 years old. As per RCB coach Brad Hogg, he might not even be one of the franchise’s first four choices for retention. Plus, going by media reports, Kohli did not want Rohit Sharma to take reigns of the Indian team, age being a factor and with AB the number is even higher. 

A young captain in Devdutt Padikkal?

If future is numero uno for Royal Challengers Bangalore, they might want to try out a young captain. Padikkal could be groomed under the guidance of veterans like Kohli and ABD. The left-handed batsman has scored 668 runs in 21 matches in IPL at a strike rate of 131+. He has already been an answer to RCB’s opening woes, can he handle captaincy?

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Apart from these two, the franchise could also look at their Rs 14.25 crore investment – Glenn Maxwell. The Aussie has IPL captaincy experience as he took on the reins of Kings XI Punjab in 2017. 

“Hello everyone, to the whole RCB family and fans, the amazing fans of Bangalore and to everyone who has been a supporter of RCB for many years. I have an announcement to make. Spoken to the squad in the evening. Before the 2nd leg of the tournament starts, to inform everyone that this is going to be my last leg in the IPL as the captain of RCB,” Kohli announced in a video message posted by the franchise. 

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Appointed ahead of the 2013 season as a successor to Daniel Vettori, Kohli will end up leading RCB for nine seasons. So far, the side has won 62 of the 132 matches under him to go with 66 losses and 4 no-results. 

The best season finish under him so far has been a runners-up spot in 2016, a final that RCB lost to Sun Risers Hyderabad by 8 runs at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, their home ground.