Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Director of Cricket Mo Bobat has confirmed that the franchise has not yet decided on who will lead the team in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This statement comes amid speculation regarding a potential return of star batter Virat Kohli as captain, a role he stepped down from after the 2021 season. Kohli’s tenure included a runners-up finish in 2016, where RCB lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight runs.
In preparation for the IPL 2025 mega auction, RCB recently announced the retention of Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. During a video address following this announcement, Bobat clarified that there is no confirmation about Kohli resuming the captaincy.
“I am sorry to disappoint everybody listening. We have not made any decision related to captaincy or on that (Kohli returning as skipper) as yet. We are open to options. The only obvious decision we made was not to retain Faf. He did a great job last year and the year before that. So from our perspective, we will keep a very open mind when we head to the auction,” Bobat stated in the video.
Reflecting on Faf’s Tenure
Under Faf du Plessis’ captaincy since 2022, RCB reached the playoffs in two out of three seasons, including a remarkable comeback this year after a shaky start, winning six consecutive matches to secure their spot in the final four. Bobat acknowledged Faf’s contributions but highlighted the need to explore new leadership options.
Tough Decisions on Retentions
Bobat also revealed that the decision not to retain pacer Mohammed Siraj was particularly challenging. Siraj, a core member of the team since 2018, has taken 83 wickets in 87 matches. Last season, he contributed significantly with 15 wickets in 14 games.
“Regarding Mohammed Siraj, not retaining him was our toughest decision. We value his contributions, having been a strong performer for RCB and India over the years. However, we wanted to enter the auction with as many options open as possible, especially to build a balanced bowling attack capable of competing effectively in the IPL and other formats,” Bobat explained.
Strengthening the Indian Core
Bobat expressed the team’s desire to bolster their Indian core, which influenced their decision to retain two high-quality players, Patidar and Dayal.
“For us, prioritizing a strong Indian core during the auction phase is crucial, and our retention reflects that decision. Retaining our players was a straightforward choice, especially given their performance last year,” he noted.
Highlights of Retained Players
Rajat Patidar had a standout season in IPL 2024, scoring 395 runs in 15 matches with a striking rate of 177.13, including five half-centuries. Since his debut in 2021, he has amassed 799 runs in 27 matches at a strike rate of 158.85. His ability to counter spin has earned him considerable recognition.
Uncapped player Yash Dayal led RCB’s bowling attack last season, taking 15 wickets in 14 matches at an economy rate of 9.15. Bobat praised both players for their impressive capabilities and their potential contributions to the team.
Looking Ahead
In IPL 2024, RCB narrowly secured a playoff spot, winning seven of their 14 matches and finishing fourth with 14 points. However, their season concluded with a four-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals in the playoffs. As the team prepares for the auction, the focus will be on building a competitive squad capable of making a significant impact in the upcoming season.
