Analyzing RCB’s Performance in Virat Kohli’s Absence as Captain

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NEW DELHI: Since Virat Kohli stepped down as captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) after the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, the team has seen a mix of results under Faf du Plessis’s leadership.

RCB has qualified for the playoffs in two out of three seasons, but inconsistencies have prevented them from clinching their first IPL title. Under du Plessis, RCB finished fourth in the 2022 season, advancing to the Eliminator, where they defeated the Lucknow Super Giants but were eliminated by the Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2.

In the 2023 season, RCB finished sixth, with 14 points from 14 games, failing to reach the playoffs. The 2024 season mirrored the previous year, as RCB again secured fourth place and a spot in the Eliminator, only to be knocked out by the Rajasthan Royals once more.

While du Plessis brought tactical insight and strong individual performances, RCB has continued to struggle with familiar challenges, including over-reliance on key players and inconsistency across matches. Despite these hurdles, du Plessis holds a better win/loss ratio of 1.00 compared to Kohli’s 0.94. With 42 games under his captaincy, du Plessis has achieved a 50% win rate, surpassing Kohli’s 46.15%.

Although Kohli is no longer the official captain, he remains actively involved, frequently discussing strategies with du Plessis during critical moments. The transition from Kohli to du Plessis was aimed at reshaping RCB’s identity and breaking their long-standing title drought.

However, this leadership change has yet to yield significant success, as RCB continues to pursue their first IPL trophy. With du Plessis now 40, there are reports suggesting Kohli may return as captain for the 2025 IPL season. The franchise is counting on Kohli’s experience, leadership qualities, and determination to finally secure that elusive title in the upcoming campaign.

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