The Royal Challengers Bangalore is one of the most popular teams in the Indian Premier League. Since the team came into being, it has witnessed many captains. Each brought a different style of leadership with him, which was influential enough to shape the identity of the team. In this article, we present the captains of RCB starting from their very first to date.
Who Was the First Captain of RCB?
The first captain for RCB, during its inaugural season of the IPL in 2008, was none other than the legendary Indian cricketer called Rahul Dravid. Recognized for his composed nature, with sound technique, Dravid is often referred to as the RCB 1st captain, since he laid the foundation stone for the team during its opening days.
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List of Captains of RCB Over the Years
Over the years, RCB has seen various captains come and go, each leaving their mark on the team’s journey. Here’s a list of RCB captains and a brief description of their tenure.
1. Rahul Dravid (2008)
- The first captain of RCB was the experienced Rahul Dravid, who led the team in the inaugural season.
- Dravid was expected to be an astute leader; however, he failed to push his team towards victory in that season. The team finished seventh in the points table then.
2. Kevin Pietersen (2009)
- Explosive English batsman Pietersen took over the mantle from him in the year 2009.
- Pietersen’s tenure as a captain didn’t even last long enough as he had to leave midway for national duties, passing on the captaincy to Anil Kumble.
3. Anil Kumble (2009-2010)
- Now, it was the turn of the veteran Indian spinner, Anil Kumble, to take over from Pietersen.
- Under Kumble’s captaincy, RCB had one of their best seasons where they reached the final in 2009 but lost narrowly to Deccan Chargers.
4. Daniel Vettori (2011-2012)
- Former New Zealand captain Vettori captained RCB for two seasons.
- He was admired for his calm and calculated manner of captaincy, yet never tasted the IPL title.
5. Virat Kohli (2011-2021)
- Most-serving skipper for RCB, Virat Kohli became a full-time skipper in 2013, having briefly captained in 2011. Kohli led the side to the final in 2016.
- His passion and commitment on the field made him a fan favorite as a captain, though the elusive IPL title remained afar. His mostly fans also do IPL Betting on matches when he plays.
6. Faf du Plessis (2022-Present)
- He was named captain of the South African star Faf du Plessis in 2022.
- He brought fresh energy and leadership, and fans were hoping he could lead a turnaround under his command.
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List of All RCB Captains from 2008 to 2024
Captain | Span | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | NR | % |
Rahul Dravid | 2008-2008 | 14 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 28.57 |
Kevin Pietersen | 2009-2009 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
Anil Kumble | 2009-2010 | 35 | 19 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 54.28 |
Daniel Vettori | 2011-2012 | 28 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 53.57 |
Virat Kohli | 2011-2021 | 143 | 66 | 70 | 3 | 4 | 48.56 |
Faf du Plessis* | 2022-2024 | 38 | 18 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 47.36 |
Leadership Challenges Faced by RCB Captains
Being the captain of RCB is not an easy job. Even with a few of the biggest names in cricket, the team has seemed to struggle to win the IPL trophy. Maintaining star players, managing group dynamics, and coping with pressure have been some of the other major challenges for RCB captains.
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Conclusion
Skippers of RCB have always been some of the most influential lots in the world of cricket. Starting with the very first RCB captain, Rahul Dravid, to the present leader Faf du Plessis, each skipper has left his mark on this franchise. While the first captain of RCB might have laid the foundation, it is crystal clear that each captain has played a very significant role in shaping this team into what it is today.
The fans still keep their fingers crossed that one day, RCB will lift the coveted IPL trophy under the right kind of leadership. To keep updated and other information on IPL Matches and players performance, download the Indibet App today and start placing bets.
FAQs on Captains of RCB
Who was the first captain of RCB?
The first captain to lead RCB was Rahul Dravid, who led the team in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League, commonly called IPL, in the year 2008.
How many captains have led RCB in the IPL?
Up to 2024, RCB has had 6 captains. Some of them are Rahul Dravid, Kevin Pietersen, Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori, Virat Kohli, and Faf du Plessis.
Who is the current skipper of the RCB side?
The South African cricketer Faf du Plessis is the present captain of RCB, who took the mantle as skipper in 2022.
Who has been the longest captain for RCB so far?
Virat Kohli is the longest-serving skipper of RCB, having led the side consecutively from 2013 to 2021.