IPL 2021: Dale Steyn backs KL Rahul as a front contender to lead RCB after Virat Kohli

As the Royal Challengers Bangalore captain, Virat Kohli has decided to relinquish his leadership duties for the franchise, there have been a lot of assumptions on who will lead the franchise in IPL 2022.

As AB de Villiers is at the fag end of his career, RCB might look to bring a new face who could lead them after Kohli’s tenure.

Former RCB fast bowler Dale Steyn feels the franchise will go for the ex-RCB player KL Rahul in the upcoming mega auction of the IPL and will back to take the captaincy onus. KL Rahul is currently leading Punjab Kings in the IPL and has done a fine job for the franchise, especially as an opening batsman.

“If RCB is going to look at a long-term contender as captain, they should be looking within their own borders. The name I’ve got is an ex-Bangalore player. It’s KL Rahul. I just have a feeling he is going to return back to Bangalore in next year’s auction,” Steyn told ESPNCricinfo.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul was part of the RCB unit in IPL 2016 and did a fine job for the franchise at the top of the order. However, he suffered an injury, which ruled him out of the next season and he was surprisingly released by the franchise before IPL 2018.

Steyn feels AB de Villiers will not be a good choice to lead RCB after Virat Kohli and they should bring a new leader to the helm.

“I don’t think AB de Villiers is the right way to go. I think he is a phenomenal player. But he is at the end of his career. I think he is a great leader,” Steyn concluded.

On the other hand, RCB is yet to savor success in IPL history. RCB was able to qualify for the finals in IPL 2016 under Kohli’s leadership but could not cross the final hurdle against SRH. Kohli has stated that he wants to concentrate on his batting and he will continue to play for RCB till the end of his IPL career.

Meanwhile, RCB hasn’t had a great start to their second phase of IPL 2021 as they have lost both their matches and will need to bounce back stronger.