"That may actually turn around how his time is going at the moment" - Aakash Chopra on Virat Kohli potentially becoming RCB captain for IPL 2025
Aakash Chopra has expressed his happiness about Virat Kohli potentially becoming the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain for IPL 2025. He opined that taking over the leadership role might trigger a turnaround in the modern batting great's recent fortunes.
RCB retained only three players heading into the IPL 2025 auction. They held on to two capped players in Virat Kohli (₹21 crore) and Rajat Patidar (₹11 crore), and an uncapped Indian in Yash Dayal (₹5 crore).
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener termed reports about Kohli taking over the RCB captaincy a positive development.
"What I am hearing is that Virat Kohli might become the captain because he has probably given feelers that he is open for leadership again. If that's the case, I am firstly happy with that itself, that he should become the captain. If he becomes the captain, we will get to see Virat's slightly aggressive, in-your-face avatar," he said (1:55).
"I feel that may actually turn around how his time is going at the moment. There are more chances of that time changing, although, let's be fair, he wasn't the captain last year, but he scored a lot of runs. The Orange Cap was on his head only. However, they don't have a captain. So either they will go shopping for a captain or Virat will become the captain," Chopra added.
Kohli decided to give up RCB captaincy after IPL 2021. Faf du Plessis captained the franchise in the last three editions of the prestigious league.
"I am saying why not ₹21 crore because the franchise hasn't lost anything" - Aakash Chopra on Virat Kohli's retention price
![Virat Kohli was the highest run-getter in IPL 2024. [P/C: iplt20.com]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/eb402-17314746117404-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra termed the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's decision to spend ₹21 crore to retain Virat Kohli the right call.
"The Royal Challengers retained Kohli for ₹21 crore. They also held on to Rajat Patiar for ₹11 crore. They have also retained Yash Dayal for ₹5 crore. You might ask why ₹21 crore. I am saying why not ₹21 crore because the franchise hasn't lost anything. The slab was ₹18 crore and ₹14 crore," he said.
The cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that the franchise didn't suffer because they spent more than ₹18 crore for Kohli.
"So when you retain two players, ₹32 crore are removed from your kitty. It would have been right if you had asked that question if more than ₹32 crore had been removed. Since they have not spent more than ₹32 crore, it's absolutely fine. Virat deserves ₹21 crore, maybe a lot more," Chopra elaborated.
Kohli was the Orange Cap winner in IPL 2024. The RCB opener amassed 741 runs at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69 in 15 innings this season.