‘Virat Kohli is going to lead the side’- Ravichandran Ashwin chimes in on AB de Villiers’ RCB captain prediction

Virat Kohli will captain Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) again in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), according to Ravichandran Ashwin. AB de Villiers, a former colleague of Kohli’s from the Royal Challengers Bangalore, had earlier forecast that the iconic batsman will return to the popular team’s leadership position following a three-season hiatus.

During last month’s IPL mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Ashwin, who recently rejoined his old team, the Chennai Super Kings, claimed that RCB failed to acquire a possible leader. With some degree of certainty, the renowned off-spinner declared that Kohli would lead the Bengaluru-based team in the 18th season of the lucrative league the next year.

Virat Kohli will probably skipper that team, in my opinion. I get that impression since they haven’t chosen a captain. Unless and until they decide to accompany someone else. “Virat is the only person I see as captain,” Ashwin stated in a video that was uploaded to his official YouTube account.

RCB held a fantastic auction: Ravichandran Ashwin

RCB paid INR 21 crore to retain Virat Kohli before to the auction. Prior to the Middle East two-day event, they also re-signed Yash Dayal and Rajat Patidar. Of all the teams who participated in the auction, the Royal Challengers took home the second-highest prize (INR 83 crore).

However, they conducted their activities in a controlled manner and avoided going for the jugular right away. Ravichandran Ashwin thanked the management on their excellent effort and lauded RCB’s auction plan.

Personally, I think their auction was fantastic. They waited for it to balance. With many crores in their pockets, numerous teams entered this auction. Even though RCB had a lot of money, they played the waiting game while they came charging right in front. I need whom? The ones I need are them. My team as a whole is significant. “It matters that I’m 12 or 14,” Ashwin stated.

“Under our circumstances, what will work? That kind of side is what I want. I require that group. I have RTMs, but I’m not going to use them. I’ll choose anybody I want. He continued, “I’ll stick to the plan through to the end.