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Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are poised for a fresh beginning in the 2025 IPL season, with Virat Kohli likely to take over the captaincy once again. After an impressive performance in the recent IPL auction in Jeddah, where the franchise assembled a strong 22-member squad, Kohli’s return as captain appears imminent. Kohli, who led RCB from 2013 to 2021, guided the team to four playoff appearances and came close to winning the title in 2016. Fans are now optimistic that his leadership can finally secure the IPL trophy for the franchise.

AB DE VILLIERS HINTS AT KOHLI’S RETURN AS CAPTAIN

Former RCB star AB de Villiers, who shared a close bond with Kohli during their time together at the franchise, weighed in on the potential captaincy change. Speaking on his YouTube channel, de Villiers stated, “I don't think it has been confirmed yet, but looking at the squad, I believe he will be the captain.” His comments further fuel speculation that Kohli will lead RCB once more in the upcoming season.

RCB’S STRATEGIC AUCTION MOVES

RCB’s strategy at the two-day IPL auction was calculated and focused on strengthening the squad in key areas. One of their notable purchases was Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, who was brought in for a hefty Rs 12.50 crore, the highest bid among their acquisitions. The franchise also made moves for high-profile players like Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul but kept their spending in check, suggesting their trust in Kohli’s return as captain. Interestingly, RCB did not seek to bring back former captain Faf du Plessis, choosing instead to focus on creating a well-balanced team.

DE VILLIERS PRAISES RCB’S PACE ATTACK

De Villiers expressed his satisfaction with RCB’s auction decisions, particularly in the pace department. The squad now includes Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Lungi Ngidi, forming a formidable bowling lineup. “We’ve got Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and I’m happy with Josh Hazlewood. Rabada was close, but at least we got Ngidi. He has a wonderful slower ball, and if he is fit and in form, he will be a force to be reckoned with,” de Villiers said.

CONCERNS OVER SPIN DEPARTMENT

Despite RCB's strong bowling additions, de Villiers pointed out a potential gap in the squad: the absence of a match-winning spinner who can turn the ball both ways. "We missed out on Ravichandran Ashwin, who went to CSK, but it's good to see him back in yellow. I feel we are missing a wrist spinner who can turn it both ways. We need it, especially for away games," he said.

SUGGESTIONS FOR RCB’S SPIN STRATEGY

De Villiers proposed that RCB might look into the list of unsold players to address this shortcoming. He also called for the introduction of a mid-season transfer window in the IPL, allowing teams to pick up unsold players or make transfers during the tournament. "It’s something to think about," he added, suggesting this could help teams strengthen their squads as the season progresses.

RCB’S SQUAD AND FUTURE AMBITIONS

RCB’s squad now consists of 19 players purchased at the auction and three retained players. The franchise, which is still in search of its first IPL title, will be hoping that Kohli’s return to captaincy and the new additions to the squad will finally help them achieve the long-awaited glory. With Kohli at the helm and a balanced team in place, RCB's fans are eagerly anticipating the 2025 season, hoping it will mark the end of their IPL title drought.