In 2019, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) nearly replaced Virat Kohli as their captain, according to former RCB all-rounder Moeen Ali. The franchise discussed appointing Parthiv Patel as the new leader during Gary Kirsten’s time as coach.

Kohli became RCB’s captain in 2013, taking over from Daniel Vettori. He led the team until 2021. Despite his success as a batsman, RCB struggled during his captaincy, especially from 2017 to 2019, finishing last in two of those seasons.

The team’s poor performance followed their loss in the 2016 Indian Premier League (IPL) final. Moeen Ali, who played for RCB from 2018 to 2020, said discussions about replacing Kohli were serious. Parthiv Patel was a strong candidate for the role.

Moeen shared that Parthiv was considered due to his sharp cricketing mind. The talks took place in 2019, Kirsten’s final year as coach. However, the captaincy change never happened, and Kohli continued to lead the team.

Kohli remained captain until 2021, when he stepped down due to workload concerns. Under his leadership, RCB reached the playoffs in 2020. Kohli also consistently topped the team’s run-scoring charts during his tenure.

After Kohli stepped down, Faf du Plessis took over as captain. RCB’s fortunes improved, and in 2025, they won their first IPL title under Rajat Patidar’s leadership. Kohli played a key role, scoring 657 runs in 15 matches.

Parthiv Patel, who was with RCB until 2019, did not play in the IPL after that season. Moeen Ali’s comments highlight a challenging period for RCB and the behind-the-scenes decisions that shaped the team’s leadership.

The decision to keep Kohli as captain allowed him to lead RCB through tough times. His focus on batting after stepping down helped the team succeed. RCB’s 2025 victory marked a turning point for the franchise.

This revelation sheds light on RCB’s struggles and their efforts to turn things around. While the captaincy change didn’t happen, it shows how franchises weigh leadership options during tough seasons.

RCB fans continue to celebrate Kohli’s contributions, both as a leader and a batsman. The team’s journey from near-captaincy changes to their 2025 triumph reflects their resilience and determination to succeed.