Virat Kohli, the leading run-getter in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has been the face of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for almost two decades now. His journey will continue with his beloved franchise as they enter the next season after having won the title for the first time in 2025.
However, if he were to retire in the next couple of seasons, here are three candidates who can replace him in the team.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi
14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi took the IPL by storm when he registered a 35-ball hundred against Gujarat Titans (GT) last season, becoming the fastest Indian to the landmark. The southpaw could potentially be at RCB for plenty of years and cement a legacy of his own at the franchise.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi
In a disappointing 2025 season for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Angkrish Raghuvanshi was one of the positives to emerge from the tournament. The 21-year-old slammed 300 runs last season at a strike rate of 139.53. The right-handed batter has the style, flair and appetite to score runs, and if he were to come in for Kohli at RCB at some point, he would certainly be someone worth investing in for years to come.
Ayush Mhatre
Ayush Mhatre was a fresh air in Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) IPL 2025 campaign. Currently leading India Under-19, the Mumbai batter slammed 240 runs, striking at nearly 190 at the top, which gave the five-time champions a glimpse into the future. At 18, Mhatre has shown that he has the potential and could be a long-term option for RCB.
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