Big news by AB De Villiers as he confirms Virat Kohli as new captain of RCB for IPL 2025 season

Former South African cricket star AB De Villiers made a huge statement during his YouTube live. The 40-year-old has confirmed that Virat Kohli is set to return as the captain for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ahead of the new Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. 

AB De Villiers said, “Virat Kohli, I don't think it has been confirmed yet but he will be captain looking at the squad”. Kohli stepped down as the captain of the side and Faf Du Plessis led the side in the last few season. With Du Plessis leaving the side, Kohli is now favorite to lead the side. 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru were in the spotlight during the IPL Auctions 2025. Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Liam Livingstone, Krunal Pandya, and Romario Shepherd were some of the players brought. One of the biggest names who slipped the net was Will Jacks who was picked by Mumbai Indians and RCB didn’t use the RTM card. 

AB De Villiers speaks about RCB’s IPL Auction strategy

Former South African and RCB star AB De Villiers speaking on his YouTube channel had a closer look at RCB’s IPL Auction strategy. The 40-year-old seemed impressed with some of the names brought. Australian speedster Josh Hazlewood has returned home after being picked during the Auctions. 

The 40-year-old said, “We got Bhuvneshwar Kumar, happy with Josh Hazlewood, We did miss out on a couple here and there. Rabada was close, but at least we got Lungi Ngidi. He's got a wonderful slower ball, if he is in form and fit, he is a force to be reckoned with."

RCB’s former star though was upset at missing out on R. Ashwin who has gone back home to Chennai Super Kings after a decade. AB De Villiers said, “We missed out on Ravichandran Ashwin, CSK got him, but very happy to see him in the yellow jersey again. But all in all, I'm fairly happy. It's a well-balanced squad, we are missing a match-winning spinner but hopefully we are able to balance the squad in such a manner that we make Chinnaswamy a fortress. This squad should work at Chinnaswamy."

AB De Villiers ended by saying, “On the road, I feel we might miss out on someone who turns both ways. We need it, and I feel we are lacking it a little bit. It reminds me a touch about the transfer window some time in the future. I wish the IPL and the BCCI will bring out a transfer window, where half-way through the tournament, we could make transfers. You can possibly get an extra spinner into the squad, a wrist spinner, perhaps, or you could go back to the unsold list. It's something to think about."