The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has had seven different players serve as captain throughout its history in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Here’s a brief overview of each captain:
RCB Captains List 2008-2024
- Rahul Dravid (2008) – Under Dravid’s captaincy, RCB had a mixed season, finishing in seventh place out of eight teams. The team struggled to find consistency, winning only 4 out of 14 matches. This lack of success led to a change in leadership following the season, as RCB sought to improve their performance in following years.
- Kevin Pieterson (2009) – He was appointed as captain after the inaugural season, where Rahul Dravid led the team. Pietersen captained RCB for six matches, winning 2 and losing 4, resulting in a win percentage of 33.33%. Kevin Pietersen’s captaincy of RCB was marked by a short stint with limited success, reflecting the challenges he faced during that period.
- Anil Kumble (2009-2010) – Kumble was a standout performer, leading RCB in wickets taken that season with a total of 21 at an impressive economy rate of 5.86, including a best performance of 5/5 against Rajasthan Royals. Kumble continued as captain in the 2010 season. He maintained his role despite RCB’s mixed results throughout the tournament. In 2010, he took 17 wickets in 16 matches, finishing as the leading wicket-taker for RCB once again, demonstrating his consistency and skill as both a player and a leader.
- Daniel Vettori (2011-2012) – Under Vettori’s leadership, RCB had a strong season, finishing as runners-up. They reached the finals but were defeated by the Chennai Super Kings, a challenging follow-up season in 2012, reflecting both potential and struggle within the franchise.
- Virat Kohli (2013-2021) – Kohli took over the captaincy from Daniel Vettori before the 2013 season. In his first season, RCB finished fifth, failing to qualify for the playoffs despite Chris Gayle’s strong performance as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament. In 2018 and 2019, RCB continued to struggle, finishing sixth and eighth respectively. Despite these challenges, Kohli remained a consistent performer with bat. By 2021, Kohli announced that it would be his final season as RCB captain, citing a desire for new challenges after years of striving for an elusive title. He led RCB in 140 matches, winning 66 and losing 70. As of late 2024, there are indications that Kohli may return to captaincy for RCB again in future seasons, highlighting his enduring connection with the franchise and its fans.
- Faf du Plessis (2022-2024) – Faf du Plessis joined RCB in 2022 after Kohli stepped down as captain. His leadership has since been noted for its effectiveness, leading RCB to two playoffs in three seasons (2022 and 2023) and establishing himself as a key player within the team. Du Plessis’ experience and tactical acumen have been beneficial for RCB as they continue to pursue their first IPL title.
As of the upcoming IPL season in 2025, it is expected that Virat Kohli will return as captain, marking his second stint after stepping down following the 2021 season.
