RCB talisman Virat Kohli says Faf du Plessis’s leadership skills was a key reason that they planned to grab his services for the upcoming IPL that begins here from Saturday.

Kohli, who has been with Royal Challengers Bangalore since the first edition of the league, had been their full-time captain from 2013 to last year. From this edition, South African Du Plessis will take on the mantle.

“Getting Faf at the auctions for us, the plan was very clear. We need a leader in the change room who commands a lot of respect. Commands not demands, because he has been there done that,” Kohli said in a video posted by the franchise’s Twitter handle. “He’s a Test captain, that profile comes with a lot of accolades already and we are excited for him to lead RCB. He will do a tremendous job.

“We get along really well, myself, Maxi (Glenn Maxwell), Dinesh Karthik,” Kohli, who joined the preparatory camp on Monday, added.