Indian veteran Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in on the growing discussion surrounding Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s captaincy in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. According to Ashwin, the highly talented batter Virat Kohli is set to return as the skipper of RCB for the upcoming season. This growing chatter comes in the wake of the franchise's decision to part ways with Faf du Plessis, who previously led the team. Meanwhile, Kohli stepped down as RCB skipper in 2022.
"In all likelihood, I think Virat Kohli is going to captain that side. That's the feeling I get because they haven't gone for a captain. Unless and until they are going to go with somebody else. I don't see anyone other than Virat as captain," Ashwin said in a video on his official YouTube handle.
Ashwin also touched upon RCB’s auction by saying that the franchise came out with a balanced squad.
"I actually personally think they had a terrific auction. They balanced it and waited it out. Many teams came into this auction with many crores in their purses. They came blazing right in the front but RCB played the waiting game even though they had a lot of money. Who do I need? They are the ones I need. My overall team is important. My 12 or 14 is important," he noted.
"What will work in our conditions? I want that sort of a side. I need that team. Even though I have RTMs, I am not going to use them. I will end up picking who I want. I will follow the strategy till the end," he said.