Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) headed in with a very clear strategy for building depth in some key areas while strengthening their core. They retained the marquee player Virat Kohli, along with Rajat Patidar and Yash Dayal, providing a really strong base with a remarkable INR 37 crore budget allocated to these players.
During the auction, RCB invested generously in multi-purpose talents. There’s solid wicket-keeping and explosive batting with the additions of Phil Salt of England for INR 11.5 crore and Jitesh Sharma for INR 11 crores. Liam Livingstone (INR 8.75 crores) and Tim David (INR 3 crores) were good all-round acquisitions who promise to strengthen RCB’s middle order by dint of both power hitting and flexibility.
For bowling, RCB took some important decisions as well as Josh Hazlewood from Australia for INR 12.5 crores to strengthen the experience and reliability in their pace attack. Bhuvneshwar Kumar at INR 10.75 crores and some emerging cricketers like Rasikh Dar at INR 6 crores, Suyash Sharma at INR 2.6 crores, and Nuwan Thushara at INR 1.6 crores have been added. These will provide bowling variety: speed and spin options to tackle varied situations during matches.
Also read, Why People Call Rajat Patidar A Spin Destroyer?
Indian players Devdutt Padikkal and Swastik Chhikara, promising young batters who were acquired at budget-friendly deals, have also been added to the roster, thereby deepening the squad. RCB’s strategy: a mix of seasoned players with some emerging talents, along with the approach towards having a balanced competitive season ahead in 2025. This mix of experience and fresh energy will make RCB go all out this season for the title.
RCB Team For IPL 2025
Batters
- Virat Kohli
- Rajat Patidar
- Phil Salt
- Liam Livingstone
- Tim David
- Jitesh Sharma
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Swastik Chikara
All Rounders
- Krunal Pandya
- Swapnil Singh
- Romario Shephard
- Manoj Bhangde
- Jacob Bethell
- Mohit Rathee
Bowlers
- Josh Hazelwood
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Nuwan Thusara
- Rashikh Dar
- Suyash Sharma
- Yash Dayal
- Lungi Ngidi
- Abhinandan Singh