NEW DELHI: Since Virat Kohli stepped down as captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) following the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, the team has experienced a blend of successes and setbacks under Faf du Plessis’s leadership.
RCB has qualified for the playoffs in two out of the last three seasons, but they have been unable to secure their long-awaited first IPL title, hindered by inconsistencies in their performances. Under du Plessis, the team finished fourth in the 2022 season, making it to the Eliminator where they triumphed over the Lucknow Super Giants but were eliminated by Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2.
The 2023 season saw RCB fall short, finishing sixth with 14 points from 14 matches, failing to make it into the playoffs. The 2024 season followed a similar pattern, with the team again finishing fourth and earning a spot in the Eliminator, only to be knocked out by Rajasthan Royals once more.
Du Plessis’s leadership has brought tactical depth and strong individual performances, but RCB continues to struggle with issues such as over-reliance on key players and inconsistent match-to-match performances. Despite these challenges, du Plessis boasts a better win/loss ratio of 1.00, surpassing Kohli’s 0.94. Under du Plessis, RCB has played 42 games, winning half of them, while Kohli’s win percentage stood at 46.15% during his time at the helm.
Although Kohli no longer officially holds the captaincy, he remains a key figure within the team, frequently collaborating with du Plessis on tactical decisions during crucial moments. The decision to hand over the captaincy to du Plessis was part of an effort to redefine RCB’s identity and break their long-standing title drought.
However, the leadership change has yet to bring tangible success, and RCB remains in pursuit of its first IPL trophy. With du Plessis now 40 years old, reports suggest that Kohli could make a return as captain for the 2025 IPL season. The franchise is said to be counting on Kohli’s experience, leadership skills, and relentless drive to finally secure the coveted title in the upcoming season.