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Bangalore, Feb 20 (IANS) India's star batsman Virat Kohli has replaced Daniel Vettori as the skipper for the Royal Challengers Bangalore for the forthcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), it was announced Wednesday. Vettori, former New Zealand skipper, had led Royal Challengers in the last two seasons of the IPL. "We are delighted to announce Virat as our captain. His hunger to learn, lead, motivate and set an example is unquestionable," team owner Vijay Mallya said in a statement. Kohli has been playing with Royal Challengers right from the inaugural season in 2008 as an U-19 player and his elevation to the captaincy was only a matter of time. "Glad to be appointed Captain of RCB!," Kohli said. "It's a great feeling Being drafted as an u-19 in 2008 and now to be considered to lead the side of great players, is a big honor... I thank the owners for reposing their faith and I am looking forward to the challenge and the responsibility to carry the Team to greater heights." Across five seasons in the IPL, Kohli has scored 1639 runs at an average of 28.25 with a strike-rate of 119.28. His 77 matches are the most appearances of any player for RCB and the third most appearances by a player in the IPL RCB have reached the finals of the IPL twice - in 2009 and 2011 - but have lost both times. They also reached the semi-finals in 2010, losing to Mumbai Indians before beating Deccan Chargers in the third-place game. In 2012, the team finished fifth in the table, just missing out on a place in the play-offs.
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