IPL 2025: RCB should convince Rohit Sharma and make him captain, says Kaif
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif said Rohit Sharma should spend his remaining years in the Indian Premier League (IPL) only as captain, adding the T20 World Cup-winning skipper should choose a team that offers him a leadership role in the 2025 season. Kaif urged Royal Challengers Bengaluru to break the bank and convince Rohit Sharma to play for them in IPL 2025.
Rohit Sharma has remained tight-lipped about his future with the Mumbai Indians, who removed him as captain earlier this year. MI handed over the reins to Hardik Pandya — a move that was criticised by a large section of their fans and a few pundits. Rumours of a rift in the Mumbai dressing room were making rounds as the five-time champions struggled for consistency in IPL 2024 under new captain Hardik, who was traded in from Gujarat Titans.
With the IPL organisers announcing a maximum of six retentions ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, all eyes are on Mumbai Indians and their choice of retained players.
“Rohit Sharma should play as a captain only in the IPL because he is such a great captain. He has come after winning the T20 World Cup. He would have offers. We know people would have been calling him and asking him to play for them. I feel he should take the role of a captain only, whichever franchise is offering it,” Kaif told Star Sports.
“RCB should take this chance and somehow convince Rohit and make him the captain. He might not score that much as a batter, he scores forties and fifties, but I believe Rohit knows how to build an XI very well,” Kaif added.
After Virat Kohli quit as captain ahead of IPL 2022, RCB handed over the reins to Faf du Plessis. However, it remains to be seen if the former finalists will back the 40-year-old du Plessis for captaincy ahead of the mega auction.
On the other hand, Mumbai Indians are likely to stick with Hardik Pandya as captain. Following the IPL season, Rohit Sharma went on to lead India to T20 World Cup 2024 triumph in the USA and the West Indies.
‘WITH ROHIT ON BOARD, RCB CAN WIN ELUSIVE TITLE’
Kaif added that RCB will have their best chance to end their title drought if they get Rohit Sharma on board.
“RCB will gain because of it. Their title drought can get over. He knows how to get the job done by placing his arm around the players’ shoulders. He knows tactical moves, where each player needs to be fit in the XI. I believe if RCB get a chance, take Rohit Sharma as a captain,” he added.
The deadline for announcing retained and released players is reportedly October 31. Teams have the option of going for a maximum of six retained players — using pre-auction retentions and Right To Match cards at the auction.
