(Reuters) – Former South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis has been named the brand new captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), changing Indian batter Virat Kohli who stepped down after the 2021 season, the Indian Premier League (IPL) crew mentioned on Saturday.
Kohli, who took over as RCB skipper fulltime in 2013, was unable to steer the aspect to an IPL title. The crew signed former Chennai Super Kings batsman Du Plessis at this yr’s public sale.
“Coming in as an outsider, I’m deeply grateful for the chance,” Du Plessis mentioned. “It’s no small factor to belief an outsider, an abroad participant to do the job as a pacesetter.
“My model in doing that is not going to be ‘my method’. I’ll depend on the wonderful expertise of our home and worldwide gamers.”
Kohli mentioned he was glad to move the baton to a great good friend.
“We’ve been in contact for a few years now and he is one of many guys I’ve gotten to know somewhat bit extra other than cricket,” Kohli mentioned.
It would be the first time Du Plessis will captain a crew within the Twenty20 competitors.
“We get very alongside properly, so I’m completely excited for him to steer RCB… and to play underneath him. The partnership with Faf goes to be thrilling for RCB followers with (Glenn) Maxwell as properly and the core group we retained,” Kohli mentioned.
“The crew seems to be balanced and fairly sturdy. I can not wait to get began and to meet up with Faf and the remainder of the boys. I’m actually trying ahead to this season. I’m excited.”
The complete fifteenth version of the IPL shall be performed in a bio-secure atmosphere in Mumbai and Pune, within the western state of Maharashtra, from March 26. The last is scheduled for May 29.
Two new franchises — Lucknow and Ahmedabad — may even be a part of the competitors.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; modifying by Clare Fallon)
