RCB Captain Change: Why is Virat Kohli the Captain of Royal Challengers in IPL 2023?

Royal Challengers Bangalore are being led by former captain Virat Kohli for the second time in a row in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2023. Although the first instance had come against Punjab Kings in Mohali, the second one is currently in progress where Kohli is leading the franchise against Rajasthan Royals in front of home spectators at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Even though this wasn’t planned, it has come as a pleasant surprise for loyal fans of RCB for they are getting to witness Kohli lead the side in the city for the first time since 2019.

While IPL 2020 was entirely played in the UAE, Royal Challengers hadn’t played a home match (like all other teams) in the first half of IPL 2021 before it was moved to the UAE. It was before the UAE leg of the 14th season that Kohli had announced to step down from captaincy after the culmination of the season.

Why is Virat Kohli the Captain of Royal Challengers in IPL 2023?

Kohli is leading Bangalore in IPL 2023 because of a rib injury to regular captain Faf du Plessis. Been handed the captaincy before IPL 2022, du Plessis had played the last match and is playing the current match as an Impact Player.

du Plessis, 38, had admitted to not being in a condition to play had it not been for the above mentioned rule change in Mohali on Thursday. Although he was confident of returning as a captain today, his recovery hasn’t happened as per his wish.

Why Has Faf du Plessis Left Captaincy?

Therefore, it doesn’t need to be further explained that neither has Kohli been renamed as RCB’s captain again nor has du Plessis relinquished the leadership role.

Once fit enough to field for 20 overs, fans will get to see du Plessis lead Royal Challengers again. The team will play its eighth match of the season against Kolkata Knight Riders at the same venue on Wednesday.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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