DELHI, 30 Oct

Virat Kohli is poised to reclaim the captaincy for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the upcoming IPL 2025 season. Following discussions with the team's management, Kohli is eager to take on the leadership role again after a brief gap. Former captain Faf du Plessis, 40, who led RCB from 2022 to 2024, is unlikely to continue due to his age. The franchise views Kohli as the ideal candidate for this new chapter, particularly with the mega auction approaching.

Despite having yet to secure an IPL title, RCB has made Kohli’s leadership central to its strategy. He previously captained the team from 2013 to 2021, leading them to the playoffs four times.

While RCB explored other captaincy options, including Shubman Gill, plans did not set in. There are also rumors that the franchise may target Rishabh Pant in the upcoming auction.

Shubman Gill to take a pay cut 

Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has decided to take a pay cut and will be the second player retained by the IPL franchise ahead of the 31 October deadline.

Gill led Titans for the first time this season and both he and the management are now keen to retain the core group of players. The first retention for the franchise would be star spinner Rashid Khan, followed by Gill, Sai Sudharsan and two uncapped players in Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan.

As per the IPL retention guidelines released ahead of the mega auction, a team will lose Rs 18 crore from the increased purse of Rs 120 crore for the first player retained, Rs 14 crore for second, Rs 11 for third while for the uncapped players, a team will have to shell out Rs 4 crore each. —PTI with agencies