Rohit Sharma responsible for Virat Kohli's rumored return as RCB captain for IPL 2025? Mohammad Kaif explains why
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif recently shared his views on reports of Virat Kohli returning as Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain in IPL 2025. Kaif thinks that Kohli must have learned new things while spending time with India skipper Rohit Sharma during the 2024 T20 World Cup. Hence, Kohli has made up his mind to lead RCB again.
Kohli was RCB captain from 2013 to 2021. Under his leadership, the Bengaluru-based franchise finished as runners-up in 2016 and qualified for the playoffs in 2020 and 2021. Midway through IPL 2021, Kohli announced that he was going to step down as RCB skipper at the end of the tournament.
RCB then roped in Faf du Plessis and gave him the team's reins. In IPL 2023, though Faf was the team's full-time skipper, Kohli led the team in a few games when the former Proteas captain was injured.
Now, reports have surfaced online claiming that Kohli will return as RCB's captain in IPL 2025. Sharing his views on the same, Kaif said on Star Sports Hindi:
"If Virat Kohli has made up his mind to lead RCB, he will lead the team. No one had removed him in the first place, it was his decision to step down as captain. Perhaps, Virat must have thought that he has won the 2024 T20 World Cup, he has spent more time with Rohit Sharma now, he must have learned some new things as a leader, so maybe that's why Virat is thinking that."
It is pertinent to note that Kohli was an integral part of the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team that won the 2024 T20 World Cup earlier this year. He even played under Rohit's captaincy during India's epic run in the ODI World Cup last year.
Sanjay Manjrekar explains why Virat Kohli could be returning as RCB captain in IPL 2025
Another former India player Sanjay Manjrekar was a guest on the same show, and he too gave his two cents on why Virat Kohli is reportedly returning as RCB skipper. Manjrekar felt that RCB must have made the decision to grow their brand.
"Virat Kohli becoming RCB captain seems to be more of a brand call than a cricketing call," said Manjrekar.
The IPL 2025 retention list will come out soon. It will be interesting to see if Virat indeed returns as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper for the new season.