Virat Kohli Poised to Reclaim RCB Captaincy Amid IPL 2024 Reshuffle: Reports

Batting icon Virat Kohli has reportedly engaged in discussions with his IPL team, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), about a potential return as captain for the 2024 season. Kohli stepped down from the captaincy before the 2022 season, passing the leadership to South African stalwart Faf du Plessis . While RCB reached the IPL finals three times since its inception in 2008, they are yet to secure the coveted trophy, finishing as runners-up each time.

Kohli initially led RCB from 2013 to 2021, stepping away from the role after nearly a decade. Now, with the 40-year-old Du Plessis nearing the end of his career, RCB is considering a return to Kohli's leadership, according to The Times of India. Under Kohli’s captaincy, RCB reached the 2016 final but was ultimately defeated by Sunrisers Hyderabad.

With Du Plessis at the helm, RCB has performed well, reaching the playoffs twice in three seasons, though they finished sixth once. The franchise has also reportedly attempted to recruit Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill and is expected to make a bid for Rishabh Pant should Delhi Capitals release him.

Kohli, one of the IPL’s greatest batters, holds the record as the league's all-time leading run-scorer. Representing RCB since 2008, the 35-year-old has amassed 8,004 runs in 252 matches, boasting a strike rate of 131.97. His impressive record includes eight centuries and 55 half-centuries.

In a recent podcast, Kohli shared insights on his loyalty to RCB, acknowledging past approaches from other teams. “I’ve thought about entering the auction at times," he said. "But then I remind myself that life moves on. The legacy RCB has given me is unique. Many teams could have backed me in the beginning, but RCB believed in me.”

For Kohli, the RCB franchise has provided an invaluable platform, which he considers irreplaceable, even amid numerous offers from rival teams.