Batting icon Virat Kohli is leading Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the second time in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 as veteran Faf du Plessis remains a substitute player for the second time in a row. RCB is playing its today's IPL 2023 match against Sanju Samson's Rajasthan Royals. When Kohli was asked during the toss to explain the ongoing captaincy scenario in RCB, he revealed that the team management informed him that he might lead Bangalore in next few games as well. Faf du Plessis reportedly suffered a not so major rib injury in RCB's last fixture against Punjab Kings. It seems like he is yet to fully recover from it.
"It was pretty easy to choose, we'd have batted first. This wicket looks dry and it will get drier and might break up first. I didn't say that to Sanju, but I'm very happy to bat first. We both get to do what we wanted. They informed me last time saying I might have to captain a couple of games, nothing I'm not used to doing. So I'm happy to step in, ready to continue from whatever Faf has been doing.
"The team has responded well, we are playing with a lot of energy and that showed in the last game. One change for us, Wayne Parnell is out and he will be replaced by David Willey. Faf continues to play as an impact sub," Kohli said at the time of toss.
Sanju Samson won the toss and invited RCB to bat first.
"We'll bowl first. Looking at the conditions, our side and their side. So we'd prefer bowling. The dressing room is simple, honest and we need to respect the way we are playing. We are starting with the same XI, might add someone later on," Samson had said.