Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli has announced that he will step down from the leadership role after IPL 2021 concludes. Soon after the announcement, there have been speculations on who could be the next captain. Speaking on the same, former Australian spinner Brad Hogg feels the franchise needs to pick someone from the auction for the role.
The decision comes after a couple of days after Virat Kohli declared that he will step down as India’s T20I captain at the end of the ICC T20 World Cup later this year. Ever since taking up the role in 2013, Kohli has led the Bangalore side. However, he has not managed to guide his franchise to an IPL title.
Virat Kohli to step down from RCB captaincy after #IPL2021
“This will be my last IPL as captain of RCB. I’ll continue to be an RCB player till I play my last IPL game. I thank all the RCB fans for believing in me and supporting me.”: Virat Kohli#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/QSIdCT8QQM
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) September 19, 2021
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Brad Hogg opined that no one from the current team can lead RCB in the next season.
“RCB will have to recruit someone next year to come in and captain the franchise. I don’t think there will be anyone within their group. AB de Villiers, we don’t know how long he’s going to go on for. You just don’t want someone to go in there and patch up that particular space if he is only going to be there for a short term,” Brad Hogg said.
RCB should pick a young cricketer who can lead for a long duration: Brad Hogg
Captain Kohli will step out for his 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣th #IPL game today. 🤩
And what better way than stepping out in the special blue jersey to pay tribute to our Frontline warriors. 💙@imVkohli#PlayBold #IPL2021 #WeAreChallengers #KKRvRCB pic.twitter.com/OodiUUPqCS
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) September 20, 2021
Brad Hogg further pointed out the franchise should look at someone who can lead for a long period.
“What you want to do is recruit someone for the long term, someone who is going to be at the helm and the core for RCB. They are going to have to recruit well from the auction. They will be after someone who can lead this team for the next 7-9 years, like Virat Kohli has. You want that stability at the top of the tree,” he added.
RCB begin their campaign in the second phase against KKR on Monday at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.