The summer of 2022 is all set to be way more exciting as the T20 extravaganza returns home on March 26. The 15th season of IPL will be a cracking contest between ten franchises who wrestle for supremacy in 70 league matches. One of the three old franchises that have never lifted the coveted trophy even for once is the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Compared to PBKS and DC the other two in the list, RCB has a better track record in IPL in terms of their appearances in playoffs. The franchise has been runners-up on 3 occasions- 2009,2011 and 2016 but every time the tag of champions has eluded them. In IPL15, RCB will begin their campaign under a new leader after Kohli stepped down as the captain last season. Thus, the big question arises, Who will be the new captain of RCB?
The Top 3 contenders
While quite a few names are doing the rounds of being the next man in to lead the RCB brigade but the franchise has been tight-lipped to make a formal announcement. However, the franchise has called for a press conference on March 12 at 4 pm and is likely to announce Kohli’s successor. Experts and pundits predict that the contention for RCB’s captaincy is only between 3 main candidates – Dinesh Karthik, Glenn Maxwell, and Faf Du Plessis.
Dinesh Karthik
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DK previously has led KKR and his numbers as a captain are quite satisfactory. However, with age not on his side it is unlikely that the franchise will opt for Karthik as their captain. However, the seasoned campaigner who has also previously been a part of the RCB dressing room will surely be in the leadership core group.
Glenn Maxwell
The next in line and one of the firm favorites for the job is the Big Show, Glenn Maxwell. The Australian all-rounder emerged as a matchwinner for RCB, as he finally rediscover his lost mojo in IPL since 2014. Maxwell too has previously led the KXIP in the past, but his performance was quite a letdown for the Punjab franchise. But one has to admit, Maxwell has brought in huge changes in his mindset as a player and appears way more mature and shrewd than before. Maxwell is not a part of the Australian squad that will be playing a limited-overs series with Pakistan in March. However, he will have to miss the first 3 matches of IPL15 due to Cricket Australia’s dictum of not giving a NOC to centrally contracted players to feature in any major cricket league when the national side is playing a bilateral series.
Faf Du Plessis
The front-runner in the race is former Proteas skipper Faf Du Plessis. Faf was signed by RCB for INR 7 crores in the mega auctions held in February this year. Pundits hailed RCB’s buy as a masterstroke as Du Plessis might be the perfect captain for a franchise like RCB. The second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2021, Du Plessis is a proven game-changer with the bat. The former CSK opener understands the dynamics of IPL very well after being a part of a highly successful side like CSK.
The prolific run-scorer not only solves RCB’s worries for a dependable opener but his cool and composed persona will also perfectly blend with Kohli’s aggression. RCB has often lacked to keep up their momentum in the group stage and Du Plessis might bring a better resolution in the dugout. As per sources, the RCB think tank has zeroed in on Du Plessis as the man to take over the reins from Kohli. A formal announcement is on the cards to clear all speculations.
On March 12, RCB will celebrate 14 years of the franchise at the newly launched RCB Bar and Cafe. The team management might announce the eager-awaited decision and also reveal the jersey and kit for the 15th edition of the marquee league. RCB’s campaign in IPL 15 will begin on March 27 when they face Punjab Kings at the D.Y. Patil Stadium.
