With less than 3 weeks until the start of the 2022 Indian Premier League season, all eyes are on Royal Challengers Bangalore as they are the only franchise not yet to appoint a captain. Even when the new teams Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans announced their captains days before the auction, RCB remained taciturn.
It is speculated that either Glenn Maxwell or Faf du Plessis are being considered for the role, which Virat Kohli resigned after the 2021 IPL season ended. However, fans have not given up hope of seeing Kohli captain again.
The acclaimed Indian batter stressed the need to have some space and better manage his workload when he stepped down as RCB captain. Speaking to the franchise last month, Kohli reiterated that his decision was not surprising and that he was clear he wanted to continue.
In particular, a lot has changed since last year’s T20 World Championship, with Kohli not only retiring as T20I captain but also being sacked as ODI captain before stepping down from the role of Test captain.
However, former RCB captain Daniel Vettori said Virat Kohli made the right decision by stepping down from the role.
“No (Kohli will not return as captain). I think it’s as simple as that. I don’t think it will ever work, let alone in franchise cricket or international cricket. Once the captain has moved on, that’s the right thing for him to keep going,” Vettori told ESPNCricinfo.
MAXWELL OR YOU PLESSIS?
RCB kept Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and Mohammed Siraj but the addition of former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has given management more options in terms of leadership.
Vettori, who has also coached RCB in the past, said the big three – Kohli, Maxwell and du Plessis – will be part of the leading group.
The former New Zealand spinner also highlighted the presence of veteran Dinesh Karthik, who was bought by RCB at the IPL 2022 auction. Karthik has the experience of leading Kolkata Knight Riders.
“I think they’ll look at Kohli, Maxwell and Du Plessis as the leading group and even Dinesh Karthik. I think Faf will step in for Maxwell. But if they win the first three games maybe they’ll move on with him,” he added.
“I think Maxwell is a shorter long-term time. Three years is a long time in IPL. They will look at Maxwell as the three year cycle and hopefully he continues to play like he did last IPL. They will take into account that he will be the leader in it for three years.”
RCB will begin their campaign against the Punjab Kings on March 27 at DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai.
