IPL 2019: It is time for Virat Kohli to step down as RCB captain?

As the 12th edition of the world's top T20 league - IPL 2019 - commenced, RCB fans were hoping for a change in the team’s fortunes. But the Bangalore-based franchise have once again started their campaign on the wrong foot.

With three losses in their first three matches, RCB are languishing at the bottom of the points table.

This season it is not just about the losses for RCB, but also how easily they have lost the games. Barring one match against Mumbai Indians, they have not even shown the stomach to fight in the other two games, against CSK and SRH.

Many cricketing experts and fans are now suggesting a change in the leadership of RCB. Virat Kohli, the current skipper, needs no introduction. He is the presiding captain of Team India, and he has been leading the Men in Blue successfully in all formats for a while now.

Despite his numerous achievements on the cricket field though, Kohli is yet to lift the coveted IPL trophy. He once again has a star-studded squad at his disposal, yet his team is struggling badly and performing poorly.

Kohli's regular failures as captain have brought the situation to a boiling point. Questions are being raised about Kohli’s captaincy skills, and his ability to unlock the full potential of his squad. In particular, there is one question that is doing the rounds: should he step down as RCB’s captain, like Gautam Gambhir did for Delhi last year?

While Kohli is undoubtedly the best batsman of the modern era and certainly one of the best the game has ever seen, the same can’t be said about him as a captain. Although he has a good captaincy record in the international arena, his IPL captaincy record is poor by any standard.

Kohli's numbers don’t speak much in his favor. He has won only 44 matches out of 99 in the IPL, which is why it's not surprising that RCB regularly struggle to make the playoffs.

The time has come for King Kohli to introspect his role within the franchise and hand over the captaincy baton to some other deserving candidate. After relinquishing the captaincy duties, Kohli would also be able to play more freely as a batsman.

RCB would be immensely benefited if Kohli ‘the batsman’ can play his natural game without any extra pressure. A brave decision such as this could prove to be a masterstroke in changing the fortunes of the franchise.

Kohli stepping down as captain might be the exact boost that the Bangalore-based franchise need right now in their quest to lift their maiden IPL trophy.