Bengaluru: Virat Kohli has been appointed as the new captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore. The decision didn’t come as a surprise as Kohli had been given this role in the last edition of IPL in absence of injured Daniel Vettori who he will be replacing permanently this season.

 “It’s a great feeling for me and right from the very beginning I have been very lucky as I led the under-19 team in 2008 and now will be leading RCB in IPL,” the 24-year-old said. The only player retained by the franchise ahead of the 2011 season, Kohli is the longest-serving member of the RCB squad.

Team owner Vijay Mallya said, “We are delighted to announce Virat as our captain. His hunger to perform consistently and lead from the front makes him an undisputed champion.”