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The World T20 campaign has opened up new possibilities in relation to who could be the next RCB skipper in IPL 2022. Besides, the retirement of AB de Villers has also made RCB look for a fresh face to captain the team next season. For the record, Virat Kohli would no longer captain RCB in the next season as he has given up captaincy in T20s both at franchise and international levels to concentrate on his batting. 

So, who are the new possible contenders as RCB captain post the World T20 campaign and ABD’s retirement?

David Warner

Warner was subjected to humiliation when he was dropped as both captain and player of a team he led to IPL glory in 2016. SRH is unlikely to retain him. And Warner too would no longer play for them. But his exploits with the bat in World T20 that earned him the player of the tournament award has made few franchises, especially RCB, keep an eye on Warner as a potential captain for the next season. 

Also, Warner could double up as an opener and could partner Devdutt Padikkal while Kohli could man the middle-order in the company of Glenn Maxwell. 

KL Rahul

Rahul has been the leader of Punjab Kings for a few seasons, and despite his exploits with the bat for the franchise every season, he has not got the same support from his teammates to put his team into playoffs. Hence, Punjab could look for a new captain who could inspire his teammates to punch above their weight. And it could be an opportunity for RCB to pouch on Rahul to not only captain its team but also form an explosive opener pair with Paddikkal.

Shreyas Iyer

Just a season ago, Iyer led Delhi Capitals to the final of IPL 2020. But a freak injury saw him lose his captaincy to Pant. As a captain-batsman, Iyer did well in the 2020 season but just could not lift his game as a middle-order batsman in the next season after a comeback from injury. Iyer might not be retained by Delhi as the franchise might look for explosive players who can hit the ball long right from the word go. But RCB would need a captain like Iyer who can rally the middle-order as an accumulator, and lead the team with calmness.

But Maxwell could pip them all...

Maxwell who has had a breakthrough IPL season for RCB in 2021 is a potential candidate as captain in the next season. But Maxwell does not have had a fruitful season as captain of Punjab Kings before, and RCB might be hesitant to hand over the responsibility to the Aussie. But if RCB fails to land a bankable player as captain, Maxwell is likely to be given the job.

Who do you think will be the right pick for the role? Do you think it could be the Indian T20 Vice-captain KL Rahul? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and do follow our Social media handles for the latest updates from the world of Cricket.