IPL 2025: AB de Villiers confirms name of THIS top cricketer as new captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore
New Delhi: The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has finished their IPL Mega Auction 2025 after buying some top players like Phil Salt, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, and Liam Livingstone. However, one of the most loved franchises failed to bargain for their captain. The rumors of Virat Kohli being the captain of RCB for the next few seasons were highly circulated even before the auction. The ex-RCB superstar and Mr. 360 has now confirmed that the Indian superstar will lead the franchise for the upcoming TATA IPL 2025.
AB de Villiers is one of the most loved and greatest players in the T20 format and the IPL. Despite playing for many other teams, AB de Villiers has found a special emotional connection with this Karnataka-based franchise and is often seen indulging in insider talks. AB de Villiers is someone who stays close to Virat Kohli and is aware of everything, more often than not
In a video on his YouTube channel, De Villiers confirmed that Virat Kohli is set to take up the RCB captaincy, even though no official announcement has been made yet.
“Virat Kohli, I don’t think it has been confirmed yet, but he will be captain looking at the squad,” said the South African legend.
De Villiers also shared his thoughts on RCB’s squad, expressing his excitement over the franchise’s signings, including Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jos Hazlewood, Lungi Ngidi, and others.
“We secured Bhuvneshwar Kumar and I’m happy with Josh Hazlewood. We did miss out on a few players, like Rabada, but at least we got Lungi Ngidi. He has a fantastic slower ball, and if he’s fit and in form, he’ll be a real threat,” said the former Proteas captain.
The Proteas great also expressed disappointment over RCB missing out on R. Ashwin. He believes the team lacks a spinner who can turn the ball both ways, which could be a concern.
“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 can balance the squad in such a way that we make Chinnaswamy a fortress. This squad should work well at Chinnaswamy.”
“On the road, I feel we might miss having a bowler who can turn the ball both ways. It’s something we need, and I think we’re slightly lacking in that area. It also makes me think about the future transfer window. I hope the IPL and BCCI consider introducing a transfer window, where teams can make transfers halfway through the tournament. This could allow us to bring in an extra spinner, maybe a wrist spinner, or even revisit the unsold players list. It’s definitely something to think about,” said the South African great.
The TATA IPL 2025 is all set to be played from 14th March to 25th May 2025.