Speculation surrounding Virat Kohli's captaincy with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has resurfaced, fueled by recent comments from former England all-rounder Moeen Ali. Ali's insights shed light on the dynamics within the RCB camp during the 2019 season, suggesting that Kohli's leadership was under scrutiny and that a potential replacement was being considered.

Moeen Ali revealed in an interview that Parthiv Patel was in line to become the captain of RCB in 2019, after Gary Kirsten joined the team as head coach. Ali stated that Patel, known for his sharp cricketing mind, was seriously considered for the role, and that it was a topic of discussion within the team. However, the change never materialized, and Kohli continued to lead the franchise until 2021.

Kohli's tenure as RCB captain, which began in 2013, was marked by both individual brilliance and collective struggles. While Kohli consistently delivered exceptional batting performances, including a record-breaking 973 runs in 2016, the team's inability to secure an IPL title remained a significant point of criticism. Despite reaching the playoffs multiple times and finishing as runners-up in 2016, RCB's lack of silverware led to questions about Kohli's leadership.

In 2019, RCB had a poor season, finishing at the bottom of the table. This prompted scrutiny of Kohli's captaincy, with some critics suggesting that he was "lucky" to have retained the role for so long despite the team's lack of success. Gautam Gambhir, former Kolkata Knight Riders captain, was among those who voiced their opinions, stating that Kohli had been fortunate to receive such a long rope from the franchise.

Kohli stepped down as RCB captain after the 2021 season, citing workload concerns. He had also relinquished India's T20I captaincy. The BCCI then removed him as ODI captain, wanting a single white-ball leader. Kohli later revealed that the pressure of captaincy had taken a toll on his mental well-being and that he needed space to "refresh and regroup". He admitted that he felt constantly judged and wanted to play cricket without that pressure.

Following Kohli's departure, Faf du Plessis assumed the captaincy. In 2025, RCB finally won their first IPL title under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, with Kohli playing a key role as a senior player and mentor.

Moeen Ali's recent statements have reignited discussions about Kohli's captaincy and the decisions made by the RCB management in 2019. While Kohli remains a pivotal figure for RCB, the revelation that he was once on the verge of being replaced as captain offers a new perspective on the team's dynamics during that period.