IPL 2025: Who Will Be RCB's New Captain? Big Decision Coming Soon
IPL 2025 must be drawing near, hence Royal Challengers Bangalore must be on the lookout for a new captain. Now, with the mega auction getting close, RCB's retention list surprisingly didn't retain the ex-captain Faf du Plessis, which was an unexpected move on its own. Several reports from the media speculate on Virat Kohli returning to his captaincy but still clouded to know if he actually becomes the team captain again.
RCB Eyes on New Captain for IPL 2025
Simultaneously, two key players with their respective experience of handling IPL teams as captains have emerged as a potential choice to replace the captainial shoes in the RCB, at least for the upcoming season. Let's look at them one by one.
1. KL Rahul
KL Rahul is an IPL-seasoned wicket-keeper-batsman who captained LSG for their first two seasons of IPL, till IPL 2024. Under Rahul's captaincy, LSG has impressed for their first two seasons. However, IPL 2024 didn't quite work out for Rahul or for his franchise.
KL Rahul to Bengaluru 🥹🤌 at Echoes of Fans Tour Mock Auction, Mysuru!
— RCB 12th Man Army (@rcbfansofficial) November 9, 2024
We'd love to see this homecoming, make it happen @royalchallengers.bengaluru!#IPL2025 #IPLAuction #RCB #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/k1DbhGZFek
Rahul's own games were less than inspiring, and in one match even franchise owner Sanjeev Goenka was seen visibly irked with him. It became a gossiped topic about Rahul's possible exit from LSG. And the LSG retention list came out, which saw Rahul's name missing-his best possible evidence for exit.
Since then, social media has had nothing but positive buzz around Rahul. All and sundry are contemplating how RCB could look towards targeting him during the mega auction. Now, RCB has a pressing need for a settled leader and a wicketkeeper-batsman and roles in which Rahul would seamlessly fit into the bill. If RCB can get him in the auction, then Rahul may prove to be a solid replacement for them as their captain for IPL 2025. But that can only be determined after the auction gets over and when the squads become finalised.
2. Rishabh Pant
Another name that is as exciting as it is associated with the RCB captaincy is Rishabh Pant. The erstwhile captain of Delhi Capitals was released by the franchise before the 2025 season and enters the mega auction pool from here.
Rishabh Pant in #RCB for 20-22 Crores? 👀
— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) November 12, 2024
- Comment your opinions 👇 pic.twitter.com/lvAcKFqeAK
Reason behind Pant's release has attracted lots of attention for multiple franchises, and he is sure to be a player who will be quite in demand during the upcoming auction.
In particular, RCB can benefit from the dynamic skills of Pant, both as a batsman and as a wicket-keeper. He is just what the doctor ordered at RCB for RCB, which needs to have a reliable wicket-keeper batsman and a strong leader. While Pant's aggressive play is something that will work well for RCB's brand, his experience as Delhi's captain can provide the needed leadership to break that unwilling streak to bring an IPL title home. Of course, RCB would be one of the favorites in the hunt for Pant.
Also Read: Indian Railways: More Delhi-Bound Trains Rescheduled, See Updated List
Ultimately, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant would bring with them different sets of strengths. Rahul will provide stability and composure, and Pant will bring flair as well as an attacking attitude. Ultimately, it is up to how it shapes in the mega auction process and which one RCB manages to sign. With the stage all set to be thrilling at the auction, the fans will await with bated breath who will take upon the leadership mantle for the 2025 season.
