Virat Kohli throws support behind new RCB captain Faf Du Plessis

Former Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli said that he had sent a message to fellow teammate Faf Du Plessis regarding Du Plessis' role in the upcoming 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL). Du Plessis will be the new captain of the Royal Challengers Banglore (RCB).

Meanwhile, Kohli, who has played with the Royal Challengers since the first IPL edition of 2008 and has been captain since 2013, decided to leave the captaincy after last season's IPL.

His journey as team captain at RCB has indeed ended, but he continues to support the team that has made his name.

Complete package

“I messaged Du Plessis as soon as he was selected for RCB. The plan was very clear that we needed a highly respected leader,” said Kohli at RCB Bold Diaries. Kohli says that Du Plessis is the complete package for being a team leader.

According to him, Du Plessis is the captain of South Africa in all formats means he is a respected figure."We need a leader in the dressing room who gives a lot of respect. Orders are not demands, because he has done that," Kohli said in a video posted by RCB's Twitter.

This 33-year-old man said Faf du Plessis' skills and leadership were the main reasons for RCB to take his services in the IPL 2022 edition.

RCB will now be led by four-time IPL winner Du Plessis, whom the franchise bought for Rs 7 crore in a major auction last month. “We are very pleased that he is leading RCB this year and I am sure he will do a great job. We are very familiar with him, everyone who has met him and all will enjoy this tournament,” he said.

Kohli on leaving captaincy

“It's hard to believe the IPL has come this far. (I'm here with) New energy because I let go of many responsibilities and duties and life is in a good place. For me, it's all about living life with lots of joy and happiness.

Kohli joined the RCB prep camp on Monday.

The veteran India hitter has previously said he made the decision to leave the RCB captain because he wanted space to manage his workload.

"My focus is very clear, that's what I want to do - have fun and enjoy myself on the pitch and give myself completely to this team, as I have done for many years, effortlessly," Kohli said.

The 15th edition of the Indian Premier League kicks off on Saturday with reigning champions Chennai Super Kings taking on Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium. The tournament will start on March 26 and the final is scheduled for May 29.

There are 10 teams that will compete in IPL 2022. Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans are the two new teams that enter this year's tournament. All teams in the IPL will play a total of 14 matches on the league stage. In total there are 70 matches in the 2022 IPL regular games.