Wed Oct 30 10:20:25 UTC 2024: ## Virat Kohli Set to Return as RCB Captain?

**Bangalore, India**: There’s a strong possibility that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) might see a familiar face leading the team again. According to media reports, Virat Kohli, who captained the team for nine seasons before stepping down in 2021, has expressed his willingness to take the reins once again. While the final decision will depend on the outcome of the upcoming mega auction in November, sources suggest that Kohli has already discussed the possibility with RCB management.

The return of Kohli as captain comes amidst speculation about the future of current captain Faf du Plessis. The 40-year-old South African batsman, who took over the captaincy in 2022, is unlikely to be retained for the upcoming season.

The deadline for player retentions for IPL 2024 is Thursday, 31st October. All franchises need to submit their list of retained players to the IPL organizing committee by 5 pm tomorrow. This will determine the players’ future and the teams they will be playing for in the upcoming season.

Kohli captained RCB for nine years, from 2013 to 2021. Under his leadership, the team reached the finals in 2016, but lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad. In total, Kohli led RCB in 143 matches, winning 66 and losing 70. Du Plessis, on the other hand, led the team to the playoffs in 2022 and 2024, but failed to make it in 2023.

Kohli has been with RCB since 2008, when he was signed as an uncapped player. Since then, he has been a constant fixture in the team and has never been released. He also holds the record for the most runs in IPL history.

The new retention rules for IPL allow franchises to retain a maximum of six players, including a maximum of five international players and two uncapped players. This means that if a team retains five international players, they can only retain one uncapped player as the sixth player.

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