IPL 2021: Who can be the next RCB captain?

This has been a very hectic week for all the Virat Kohli fans all over the world. The news of him leaving the T20I captaincy after the T20 World Cup was already in the air when he dropped another bomb. To clarify, Virat Kohli informed on 19th Sept. via Twitter that he will quit as the captain of RCB after IPL 2021.

Also Read: Virat Kohli will quit as the captain of RCB after IPL 2021

Virat Kohli is the only player in IPL to play for the same franchise throughout the IPL career. He has been through thick and thin for the RCB team and management. The highest run-getter of IPL though is yet to win an IPL. However, he has played the IPL final a few times. Here we look at three such players who could replace him as the captain next season.

1. AB De Villers

Virat Kohli is one of the pillars that has kept RCB standing. The other is AB de Villiers who perfectly emulated the role of a supporting player and clutched out RCB from any given position. When Virat steps down as the skipper, AB de Villiers will probably be the most qualified candidate to replace Virat. The Superman of Cricket has been an integral part of the franchise since the 4th edition of the Indian Premier League. He is also the second-highest run-scorer for RCB in the IPL.

He also forms a great duo with Virat as the two are best friends on and off the pitch. In 148 matches, de Villiers has smashed 4382 runs for the franchise with 3 centuries and 40 half-centuries to his name.

Also Read: "I can say that old Yuzi is back": Yuzvendra Chahal before IPL 2021

2. Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal has been one of the most promising talents that RCB has ever produced. He has produced magical spells with his leg break bowling and turned around difficult situations for RCB into favourable ones quite often. He has also been one of the prime reasons behind RCB's rise to the top. Chahal has also been the leading wicket-taker of RCB in the Indian Premier League. He has gone on to clinch 125 wickets in the 106 games he has played for the franchise.

Once again, Chahal has had a very special bond with Virat over the years while playing for RCB and team India. This will certainly ensure a smooth transition of captaincy in the franchise. Thus, Yuzvendra can be a great captaincy material for RCB in the years to follow.

Also Read: IPL records: 5 youngest batsmen to score IPL century

3. Devdutt Padikkal

Although still very young, Devdutt Padikkal can certainly be one of the strongest captaincy choices for RCB in the upcoming edition of the IPL. The young batsman hails from Karnataka has been the leading run-scorer for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the last couple of seasons in IPL 2020 and IPL 2021.

In IPL 2020, he ended up scoring 473 runs for the franchise at an average of 31.53 with 5 half-centuries to his name in the edition. In 2021, he has already smashed a century for RCB against Rajasthan Royals and scored 195 runs in 6 matches so far. Padikkal earned a maiden call-up for the Indian team too on their tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year and he can be a successful captain for RCB after Virat Kohli steps down.