Former Indian cricketer RP Singh has asserted that Royal Challengers Bengaluru will retain Virat Kohli after new IPL rules pertaining to player retention were announced on Sunday. Virat Kohli has been with Royal Challengers Bengaluru since the start of the IPL. Under new rules, IPL teams will be allowed to retain up to six players from their current squad, involving through Right to Match (RTM) option. 

As teams can retain upto six players, which may also include five uncapped players (Indian and overseas) and two capped players. RP Singh said that RCB will release everyone except Virat Kohli. 

"I feel they don't have any problem. They will just retain Virat Kohli, release everyone else, and use the RTM. If we see the value taking Rajat Patidar as an example, will we get him for more or less than 11 crores at the auction?" he said during a discussion on Colors Cineplex. 

"I feel you will get Rajat Patidar for fewer. So you get him back at the auction. Even if he reaches close to 11 crores, you have the RTM which you can use there," he said.

“Siraj, performance-wise, you will have to again judge whether you will get him close to 11 crores. I don't think Siraj will reach close to 14 crores. They will always have the option that if he reaches there, you can use the RTM," he added.

According to new rules, the player retained first will cost INR 18 crores, and the second INR 14 crore. The third player retained will cost INR 11 crores. If teams retain a fourth and fifth player, they will cost INR 18 crores and INR 14 crores respectively. Notably, the amount will be deducted from the team's purse.

RP Singh further mentioned that RCB should look forward to building a formidable team with Virat Kohli being the central figure. 

"So they should go with a new mindset. They need Virat, he has contributed a lot to the franchise, and Virat is the most important player as well. So they should think about building the team around him, or with a new thought. I don't see anyone else apart from Virat Kohli having a value of 18 or 14 crores in this team," RP Singh said.