Virat Kohli, the face of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise, has been an IPL legend for almost two decades. With his incredible batting skills, he became the leading run-scorer in IPL history, and his contributions to RCB have been monumental. As the team heads into the 2025 season with their first-ever IPL title, there’s speculation about who could eventually fill Kohli’s shoes if he decides to retire in the coming years.
In this article, we take a look at three potential candidates who could replace Virat Kohli at RCB, based on their recent performances and overall potential.
1. Vaibhav Suryavanshi – The Young Powerhouse
Vaibhav Suryavanshi made headlines during IPL 2024 with his blistering knock of 100 runs from just 35 balls against Gujarat Titans. This incredible feat earned him the title of the fastest Indian to score a T20 century. The 14-year-old southpaw has shown exceptional potential, and his aggressive style of batting is what RCB fans could look forward to in the future. With several seasons ahead of him, Suryavanshi could become a key player for RCB and leave a lasting legacy, much like Kohli has.
2. Angkrish Raghuvanshi – A Rising Star with Flair
Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s performance in the 2025 IPL season was one of the few bright spots for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), despite their disappointing campaign. The 21-year-old right-handed batter accumulated 300 runs at a strike rate of 139.53, showcasing his ability to consistently score runs at a quick pace. Raghuvanshi’s attacking style and hunger for runs make him a strong contender to step into Kohli’s shoes at RCB. His youthful energy and flair could be exactly what the team needs for a new chapter post-Kohli.
3. Ayush Mhatre – The Prodigy from Mumbai
Another exciting prospect is Ayush Mhatre, a dynamic batter who recently impressed in IPL 2025 with Chennai Super Kings (CSK). At just 18 years old, Mhatre has already shown that he has the potential to be one of the future stars of Indian cricket. Leading the India Under-19 team, Mhatre amassed 240 runs in the 2025 IPL season, with an explosive strike rate of nearly 190. His performance at the top of the order provided a glimpse of what could be in store for RCB in the coming seasons. If RCB were to invest in him, Mhatre could be a long-term option to replace Kohli as the face of the franchise.
Final Thoughts:
While Kohli’s retirement is not imminent, RCB fans are already thinking about the future and who could replace the icon when the time comes. Whether it’s Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s raw power, Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s consistency, or Ayush Mhatre’s explosive talent, RCB has a few promising players to choose from. These young guns could define the next era for the franchise and continue the legacy of excellence that Kohli has set in motion.
The future looks bright for Royal Challengers Bangalore as they seek to build a team that will keep challenging for IPL titles for years to come.
