Will Virat Kohli become Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s new captain?

Dubai: The Indian Premier League 2025 is beginning to gather steam. Fans have been eagerly awaiting matchups between Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, as well as the highly anticipated clash between five-time champions Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings in the new season.

The richest franchise league is expected to announce the complete schedule for the season, which begins on March 21, next week.

RCB’s captaincy conundrum

While the wait continues, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have turned up the heat with the impending announcement of their new captain.

Former South African skipper Faf du Plessis led the team for the past three seasons after Kohli relinquished the captaincy. The team has been searching for their first title in 18 years, and the start of every season brings renewed hope for their fans.

However, du Plessis was signed by Delhi Capitals during the mega auction in Jeddah late last year, leaving the franchise in search of a new leader to finally break their IPL title drought.

A cryptic tease for fans

“RCB captain yaaru? (Who is the RCB captain?),” read a tweet from the franchise, accompanied by a video with clues. “Treasure Hunt Time, 12th Man Army! Clues to who’s going to be the Captain of RCB for #IPL2025 are in this video. At least you have a shortlist now, don’t you?”

Among the clues, the No 18 figures prominently, signalling that Kohli is among the shortlisted candidates to lead the team. Other numbers in the teaser appear to denote Rajat Patidar (97), who was one of the three retained players for RCB for IPL 2025 and captained Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy earlier in the season. All-rounder Krunal Pandya is also reportedly in the race.

“We’re announcing the Captain of RCB TODAY at 11:30am,” the tweet concluded.