Virat Kohli was set to be sacked as RCB captain in 2019: Ex-IPL teammate makes startling revelation
Virat Kohli's former teammate has revealed he was set to be sacked as captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2019.
Former England and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Moeen ALi has revealed Virat Kohli was closed to being sacked as the captain of the franchise in IPL 2019. Kohli was appointed as RCB's full-time captain in IPL 2013 and led the franchise for nine seasons before stepping down from the role following IPL 2021. He took RCB to their second final in IPL 2016, but failed to lead them to their maiden title.
Moeen has recalled how RCB had all but decided to replace Kohli as captain during Gary Kirsten's tenure as the head coach of the franchise. The all-rounder revealed Parthiv Patel was set to replace Kohli as the captain of RCB at the time. However, the decision was not executed as Kohli continued to lead the team, eventually stepping down himself in 2021.
"Yes, I think he was. I'm quite sure he was," Moeen said when asked if Parthiv was being considered for RCB captaincy, replacing Kohli.
"In the final year, when Gary Kirsten was there-after the first year, I believe-Parthiv was in line to become captain. He had a brilliant cricketing brain. That was the talk at the time. I don't know what happened or why it didn't materialise, but I'm sure he was seriously considered for the role," he added.
Moeen played for RCB for two seasons in 2019 and 2020, before moving to Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he enjoyed the best spell of his IPL career and went on to win his first title with the Men in Yellow in 2021.
Moeen played 15 matches for CSK in IPL 2021, scoring 357 runs and picking up six wickets to play a key role in their title triumph. He spent four seasons at CSK from 2021 to 2024 and was also part of their title-winning squad in IPL 2023.
Virat Kohli left RCB captaincy in 2021
Meanwhile, Kohli left RCB captaincy in 2021, citing workload issues. Under his captaincy, RCB qualified for the playoffs in IPL 2020, but Kohli decided to leave the leadership role. After his departure, RCB appointed Faf du Plessis as their new captain ahead of IPL 2022. Under Faf, RCB qualified for the playoffs twice, but failed to go the distance.
Kohli, who continues to be a mainstay in the team's batting line-up, realised his dream of winning his maiden IPL title with RCB earlier this year. Rajat Patidar-led RCB defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final to win the IPL 2025 title. Kohli played a key role in the title triumph with 657 runs in 15 matches.