Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have yet to name their captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL 2022) season. Virat Kohli, who had been a member of the team since the tournament's inception in 2008, stepped down as captain during the IPL 2021 season.
RCB's acquisition of Faf du Plessis and Dinesh Karthik in the IPL 2022 mega auction has increased competition for the franchise's leadership role. While Glenn Maxwell – one of the players retained by the franchise – was also touted for the role.
However, there have been calls for Kohli to be reinstated as the team's captain. Aakash Chopra, the former Indian opener, believes that RCB may return to him because Kohli does not hold the captaincy in international cricket.
“When Virat Kohli left RCB's captaincy, he had just left the T20I captaincy and stated that he wanted to concentrate on leading India in one-dayers and Test matches. But that didn't happen; he was removed as ODI captain and stepped down from the Test role. Now that he's not captain, there is only one tournament where he has to lead,” Aakash said on his official YouTube account.
“RCB might go back to him because the situation is changed. He is going to play for RCB for the rest of his career. The association between Virat Kohli and RCB is like MS Dhoni and CSK. So, why not one more year? It's not a bad thing. Over the past few years, RCB's performances have improved. They reached the playoffs in the last two years.”
Chopra opined that Kohli should not be asked to lead the team again. Kohli stepped down as captain for a reason, according to Aakash Chopra, and RCB may require a "new direction" under a new leader as they prepare for the 2022 season.
“Should Virat be made the captain? I don't think so. If he had thought this through, don't burden him now. It might actually be a good thing for RCB. He might now bat with more freedom and more fearlessly. He is not getting younger. He has faced a lot of pressure in these past many years. So, I personally think RCB shouldn't go back to Virat,” said Aakash.
“From RCB's perspective, I believe sometimes, you need a new direction. A new leadership, a new thought process. So, I believe you shouldn't go back to him.”
