RCB's IPL captaincy remains uncertain, but Ab de Villiers drops a major hint on potential captain
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) announced their 22-player squad for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) following this week's auction. However, the team's captaincy remains undecided. While there's no official announcement, speculation points towards Virat Kohli, RCB's former long-term captain, returning to the leadership role. Kohli stepped down after the 2021 season.
Former RCB player AB de Villiers hinted at Kohli's potential return on his YouTube channel. “I don't think it has been confirmed yet, but he will be the captain, I think, looking at the squad,” de Villiers said.
Other potential captaincy candidates within the squad include Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya. Kumar has served as interim captain for Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Pandya captains Baroda in domestic cricket. Neither has led a full IPL season.
De Villiers expressed satisfaction with RCB's overall squad composition, particularly the pace attack. He highlighted Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Lungi Ngidi as key additions. However, he noted the team's lack of a versatile spinner. “We missed out on Ravichandran Ashwin. CSK got him, but very happy to see him in the yellow jersey again. But all in all, I'm fairly happy. It's a well-balanced squad, we are missing a match-winning spinner but hopefully we are able to balance the squad in such a manner that we make Chinnaswamy a fortress. This squad should work at Chinnaswamy,” de Villiers said.
He emphasized the need for a spinner who can turn the ball in both directions, particularly
