In a surprising revelation that has sparked fresh discussions among cricket fans, a former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) teammate has claimed that Indian batting legend Virat Kohli was on the brink of being removed as captain of the franchise back in 2019.
The bombshell was dropped during a recent podcast interview, where the ex-RCB player—whose identity remains confidential due to contractual obligations—stated that management was seriously considering a change in leadership after the team’s inconsistent performances under Kohli. “There were serious talks. Many in the dressing room knew a change was coming. The management wasn’t happy with the results,” the former player said.
NewsfeedBites | devafrika | hoopladigitall | Sportdynasti | wheeloffortuneonline.co
Virat Kohli, who led RCB from 2013 to 2021, had a mixed run as captain, with the team reaching the IPL playoffs only a few times and never clinching the title under his leadership. Despite his individual brilliance with the bat, questions around his tactical decisions and inability to guide RCB to a trophy were subjects of regular debate.
Interestingly, 2019 turned out to be one of RCB’s worst seasons, where they finished at the bottom of the table with just five wins from 14 matches. “That year could’ve changed everything. But eventually, they stuck with Virat for one more cycle, mostly due to his stature and the faith the franchise had in him,” the ex-teammate added.
Kohli eventually stepped down from RCB captaincy in 2021, citing the need to manage his workload and focus on his batting. He remains with the franchise as a senior player and continues to be a fan favorite despite the team’s trophy drought.
This revelation has reignited discussions about franchise leadership, loyalty, and results in the IPL era, with many fans now viewing RCB’s decisions through a different lens.