“Team is being run by Virat Kohli even if he is not the captain” - Mohammed Kaif on Kohli not being RCB skipper for IPL 2025

Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif is surprised to see Virat Kohli not taking up the leadership role with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025 season. Notably, RCB went ahead with Rajat Patidar as the captain for the upcoming edition.

Mohammed Kaif, who played the IPL between 2008 to 2012 representing RCB, KXIP, and RR, took to X (Formerly Twitter), stating that despite Kohli not being the skipper of the team, he will have a big influence in the decisions taken by Patidar.

“I thought that Virat Kohli would be the guy since they decided not to keep Faf du Plessis. I thought Virat Kohli might have had some conversations. See the thing is the team is being run by Virat Kohli. Even if he is not the captain, it’s on him as the team has to go for the players that he wants or plans to back. If Patidar is the captain, then for sure Kohli will have had a hand in that as well," Kaif shared.

“That franchise has not won a trophy in 18 years, but still Kohli has been with them for so many years. Without the trophy as well, he has built a lot of influence and respect and the brand value," he added.

RCB has an exceptional squad for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Tim David, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya are some of the top-class additions in the auction.

A look at RCB’s IPL 2025 Squad: 

Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal, Liam Livingstone (Rs. 8.75 crore), Phil Salt (Rs. 11.50 crore), Jitesh Sharma (Rs. 11 crore), Josh Hazlewood (Rs. 12.50 crore), Rasikh Dar (Rs. 6 crore), Suyash Sharma (Rs. 2.60 crore), Krunal Pandya (Rs. 5.75 crore), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Rs. 10.75 crore), Swapnil Singh (Rs. 50 lakh), Tim David (Rs. 3 crore), Romario Shepherd (Rs. 1.50 crore), Nuwan Thushara (Rs. 1.60 crore), Manoj Bhandage (Rs. 30 lakh), Jacob Bethell (Rs. 2.60 crore), Devdutt Padikkal (Rs. 2 crore), Swastik Chhikara (Rs. 30 lakh), Lungi Ngidi (Rs. 1 crore), Abhinandan Singh (Rs. 30 lakh), Mohit Rathee (Rs. 30 lakh).

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