Regardless of being one of the crucial common franchises, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stays with out an Indian Premier League (IPL) title. They’ve reached three finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016 however have didn’t clinch the coveted trophy. Their efficiency final season noticed them end fourth on the factors desk earlier than being eradicated within the playoffs. With a revamped squad and a brand new captain set to take cost, IPL 2025 presents yet one more alternative for RCB to interrupt their title jinx. Nonetheless, whether or not their public sale technique and management choice will repay stays to be seen.
Virat Kohli’s captaincy return ?
Amid rising hypothesis that Virat Kohli would possibly return as RCB captain for IPL 2025, COO Rajesh Menon remained non-committal. With the departure of former skipper Faf du Plessis, RCB should appoint a brand new chief, however the franchise has but to make an official announcement
“At present, we have now not determined something. We have now a number of leaders within the crew—4 to 5 people who can take cost. We’ll deliberate and attain a conclusion in due time,” RCB COO Menon mentioned in an unique interview to Sports activities As we speak.
Kohli, who captained RCB from 2011 to 2021, led the crew in 143 matches, profitable 66 and dropping 70, with a win share of 48.56%. His most notable marketing campaign was in 2016, the place he amassed a record-breaking 973 runs and guided RCB to the ultimate, solely to fall quick towards Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Additionally READ: IPL 2025: Venkatesh Prasad affords a one-line answer for Virat Kohli’s RCB to win the maiden trophy
RCB’s IPL 2025 public sale choices spark debate
RCB have additionally confronted criticism for his or her technique on the IPL 2025 mega public sale. Opposite to widespread hypothesis, the franchise didn’t make aggressive bids for star Indian wicketkeeper-batters like KL Rahul, who have been anticipated to be high-profile targets. This choice left many followers and cricketing analysts puzzled over RCB’s public sale method. Moreover, the crew’s most costly acquisition was Australian quick bowler Josh Hazlewood, secured for Rs 12.50 crore whereas England’s explosive opener Phil Salt turned their costliest abroad batter,
Menon defended the franchise’s selections, emphasizing that their alternatives have been influenced by the circumstances at their residence floor, M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
“We have been very clear when it comes to what sort of gaps we have now and what all we have to fulfill and what’s the Indian core that we require to construct, and if you wish to play in M Chinnaswamy (Stadium), what sort of bowling assault we require. And that’s what we did. In case you see Day 1, it was low-key for us. Folks thought we weren’t taking part within the public sale, however on the finish of Day 2, all people, proper from followers to specialists, felt saying what we have now finished is one of the best as a result of we have now lined all of the gaps, and I feel we have now obtained among the finest groups,” Menon concluded.