RCB should look at ‘ex-Bangalore player’ KL Rahul as Virat Kohli’s successor: Dale Steyn

Former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn reckoned that the Royal Challengers Bangalore should search “within their own borders” and pick KL Rahul as their skipper after Virat Kohli steps down following the 2021 Indian Premier League. Steyn, who retired from all forms of cricket last month, said that Rahul may return to the mega auction for the next edition.

Rahul had played for the RCB, but has tasted a majority of his success after joining the Punjab Kings in 2018. In the last four years, the right-hander has been among their top run-getters, although PBKS has flattered to deceive as a team. In the ongoing edition, Rahul has scored in excess of 400 runs at an average of 57.28 with four half-centuries.

“If RCB are 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 was quoted as saying in ESPNcricinfo.

Dale Steyn not in favour of AB de Villiers replacing Virat Kohli

Steyn, who played for the Challengers during his heydays, was also of the opinion that RCB shouldn’t make AB de Villiers the skipper since the latter is at the fag end of his career. By the time the IPL 2022 gets underway, the retired Proteas batter would turn 38.

“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 added.

Before the start of the UAE leg of the 2021 IPL, Kohli announced that he would be stepping down as the skipper of the franchise after the conclusion of the tournament. His decision came a few days after he decided to relinquish Team India’s T20I captaincy after the T20 World Cup in the UAE.

For the time being, RCB are in a bit of trouble, having lost both their games in the UAE leg. The Challengers are next scheduled to face the Mumbai Indians on Sunday, September 26 in Dubai.