COO Rajesh Menon has expressed the franchise’s delight with their auction performance but remained silent about the team’s captain for the IPL 2025 season.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise has chosen not to retain their former captain Faf du Plessis and did not pursue an outright captaincy option during the two-day mega auction.

With RCB having been quiet on Day 01 at the auction, with marquee players like Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul being picked up by other teams, they made several smart moves on Day 02 to build a well-rounded squad.

Speculation is rife that Virat Kohli might return as captain. The batting superstar stepped down from the role after the 2021 season, citing workload concerns. Virat Kohli has retired from T20I internationals but will have the bandwidth to take on the additional responsibility at RCB.

“Too early (to talk about it). There are different experienced people in the mix. So, we need to evaluate and come to a conclusion. It won’t be long before we come to that conclusion,” said Rajesh Menon.

Former RCB batter and South Africa legend, AB de Villiers backed Virat Kohli to become RCB’s captain for IPL 2025. Kohli has led the team from 2013 and 2021 and played a crucial role in their run to the final in 2016.

“Friends, I think Virat Kohli is the only option (for RCB’s captaincy choice). He is near the end of his career, more inspired than ever before.”

“Till the time he gets the form, and score runs, we are used to watching him play match-winning innings. It’s like a swansong,” AB de Villiers said in January.

Rajesh Menon said the franchise was very happy with the team they were able to build at the auction. With acquiring Phil Salt, Tim David, all-rounder Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood has been brought in their squad.

“From an auction point of view, it was a clear win for us. We went with a plan and we got it bang on.”

“We didn’t go from a personality point of view. We went for players who fit what was required for the team. On the second day of the auction, we got it bang on, getting players whom we wanted.

“What will happen in 2025? We don’t know. It’s a 10-team tournament. We will put our best foot forward and then see what happens,” Rajesh Menon said.