The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction, held on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, saw 577 players vying for contracts across the league. Among the standout franchises, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) demonstrated a sharp focus in their player acquisitions, emerging with a squad of 19 players tailored to address both immediate and long-term needs. RCB made their biggest splashes by acquiring Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood and England opener Phil Salt, underlining their intention to fortify key areas of the lineup.
RCB’s legacy: Aspirations beyond popularity
Despite being one of the most beloved franchises in IPL history, RCB remains on a quest for their maiden title. Over the years, the team has been defined by its mix of legendary players and occasional heartbreaks. Entering IPL 2025, RCB sought to rewrite this narrative with a carefully calibrated strategy driven by a modernized management team and a clear vision.
RCB’s pre-auction plans were a key highlight, with meticulous preparation that included identifying specific players and roles crucial for success. A behind-the-scenes video, now shared on social media platform X, captured the strategic discussions between key figures, including head coach Andy Flower, director of cricket Mo Bobat, and mentor-batting coach Dinesh Karthik. This transparency offered fans rare insights into RCB’s ambition and approach to building a championship-contending squad.
Retention strategy: Cementing the core
Ahead of the auction, RCB retained three pivotal players to ensure stability within their lineup:
- Virat Kohli – The franchise’s talisman and one of the IPL’s most prolific batters.
- Rajat Patidar – A dependable middle-order batter, crucial for anchoring the innings.
- Yash Dayal – A promising left-arm seamer capable of delivering under pressure.
This trio forms the backbone of the team, balancing experience and potential. RCB’s retention strategy reflects a belief in continuity while enabling flexibility to strengthen other areas through the auction.
Also READ: 3 players who can captain Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025
RCB’s preferred targets for IPL 2025 mega auction revealed
Now, RCB’s pre-auction video sparked excitement and debate among supporters. Screenshots capturing the wishlist circulated widely on social media, with fans analyzing potential combinations and expressing anticipation for the upcoming season. The list underscored RCB’s commitment to building a balanced team capable of adapting to various match scenarios. Retaining Kohli, Patidar, and Dayal while targeting impactful acquisitions was seen as a step toward achieving the ultimate goal – a maiden IPL title. Surprisingly KL Rahul, once part of team’s squad of 2016, was not even the part of discussion. RCB’s wishlist for the auction, as revealed in their pre-event video, was structured around a well-defined vision:
Top-order stability
- Overseas Opener – RCB sought a dynamic overseas opener to complement Kohli’s steadiness at the top. The targeted players were Phil Salt, Faf du Plessis and Will Jacks.
- Venkatesh Iyer – Targeted as a versatile Indian all-rounder, providing options in both batting and bowling.
Middle-order firepower
- Big-Hitting Finishers – The likes of David Miller, Liam Livingstone, Tim David, Dewald Brevis, Donovan Ferreira, and Rovman Powell were identified for their ability to accelerate in death overs.
Wicketkeeper-batter
- Jitesh Sharma – A proven domestic performer, offering consistency with the bat and reliability behind the stumps.
Bowling arsenal
- Overseas Pacers – Names such as Kagiso Rabada, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis, and Matheesha Pathirana were on RCB’s radar for their ability to spearhead the attack.
- Indian Seamers – Options like T. Natarajan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh were considered to bolster the domestic pace unit.
- Spin Options – Potential acquisitions included Yuzvendra Chahal, Maheesh Theekshana, Noor Ahmad, and Allah Ghazanfar for depth in spin-friendly conditions.
#RCB target players for #IPL2025 Auction👇 pic.twitter.com/69OPZV5MEl
— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) December 10, 2024
RCB’s revamped strategy and auction performance set the stage for a promising IPL 2025 campaign. By blending experienced stalwarts with emerging talents, the franchise aims to translate years of potential into tangible success. With meticulous planning, a talented core, and a management team equipped for modern challenges, RCB might finally turn their IPL fortunes around. The pressure of expectation looms large, but the squad’s depth and leadership inspire confidence.