'Needs To Put His...': When Gambhir Wanted RCB To 'Sack' Virat Kohli As Captain

Virat Kohli served as RCB captain from 2013 to 2021 [X.com]Virat Kohli served as RCB captain from 2013 to 2021 [X.com]

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir have had their share of heated moments during the IPL, often caught on camera in aggressive exchanges. 

One notable instance was during IPL 2020 when former Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gambhir commented on RCB's captaincy. 

A captain needs to take accountability: GG On Kohli

"Eight years into the tournament, eight years is a long time. Tell me any other captain... forget about captain, tell me any other player who would have got eight years and wouldn't have won the title and would have still continued with it. So it has to be accountability. 


A captain needs to take accountability. It's not only about one year, it's not only about this. I have nothing against Virat Kohli but somewhere down the line, he needs to put his hand up and say, 'yes, I am responsible, I am accountable,'" Gambhir told ESPNcricinfo.

Kohli stepped down as RCB's captain after IPL 2021, following a season where they reached the playoffs but were eliminated by KKR. Kohli continued with RCB, playing under Faf du Plessis in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons. 

While Kohli is expected to be retained before the IPL 2025 mega-auction, the same might not apply to du Plessis as RCB could seek a new captain.

During his tenure, Kohli led RCB in 140 matches, with 66 wins and 70 losses, but failed to secure an IPL title, a point Gambhir often highlighted. 

Fast forward to today, Gambhir has been appointed as India head coach, and Kohli is likely to be part of the squad for the Sri Lanka series, where they will work closely together.

Kohli has been with RCB since the inaugural IPL in 2008 and has remained a loyal part of the franchise, taking over full-time captaincy in 2013.