The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auctionheld on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, saw 577 players compete for contracts across the league. Among the special franchises, Royal Bengaluru (RCB) they showed a sharp focus in their player acquisitions, emerging with a squad of 19 players designed to meet immediate and long-term needs. RCB made their biggest splash by getting an Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood and England opener Phil Saltconfirming the intention to consolidate key areas of the line-up.
RCB's legacy: ambitions beyond fame
Despite being one of the most popular franchises in IPL history, RCB are still trying for their maiden title. Over the years, the team has been defined by the combination of legendary players and the occasional heartbreaker. Going into IPL 2025, RCB sought to rewrite this narrative with a carefully calibrated strategy led by a modern management team and a clear vision.
RCB's pre-auction plans were a highlight, with detailed preparation including the identification of specific players and roles critical to success. A behind-the-scenes video, which has now been shared on X's social media platform, captured the strategic discussions between key figures, including the head coach Andrew Flowera cricket director Thank you Bobatand mentor batting coach Dinesh Karthik. This exposure gave fans a rare glimpse into RCB's desire and approach to building a team to compete.
Maintenance strategy: Strengthening the core
Ahead of the auction, RCB retained three key players to ensure stability within their line-up:
- Virat Kohli – The man of the franchise and one of the most prolific batsmen of the IPL.
- Rajat Patidar – A reliable middle order batsman, who is vital to anchoring the innings.
- Yash Dayal – Promising left arm bowler capable of delivering under pressure.
These three are the backbone of the team, balancing experience and ability. RCB's retention strategy reflects a belief in continuity while enabling flexibility to strengthen other areas during the auction.
Read also: 3 players who can captain Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2025
RCB's favorite targets for IPL 2025 mega auction revealed
Now, RCB's pre-auction video sparked excitement and debate among supporters. Screenshots capturing the wishlist have been widely circulated on social media, with fans analyzing potential combinations and expressing anticipation for the upcoming season . The list underlined RCB's commitment to building a balanced team that can adapt to different game situations. Retaining Kohli, Patidar, and Dayal while targeting victorious gains was seen as a step towards achieving the ultimate goal – the IPL premiership. Surprisingly KL Rahul, who was once a part of the 2016 squad, was not even part of the discussion. RCB's wish list for the auction, as revealed in their pre-event video, was structured around a well-defined vision:
High order stability
- Opener abroad – RCB were looking for a dynamic overseas opener to complement Kohli's stability at the top. The players were focused Phil Salt, Faf du Plessis and Will Jacks.
- Venkatesh Iyer – Targeted as an Indian all-rounder, providing options in both batting and bowling.
Medium order firepower
- Big hit finishers – The kind of David Miller, Liam Livingstone, Tim David, Dewald Brevis, Donovan Ferreiraand Rowman Powell are noted for their ability to accelerate death rates.
Wicketkeeper-batter
- Jitesh Sharma – A proven home fielder, offering consistency with the bat and reliability behind the stumps.
Arsenal bowling
- Pacers abroad – Names like Kagiso Rabada, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellisand Matheesha Pathirana on RCB's radar for their ability to dominate the attack.
- Indian cloves – Options like T.Natarajan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Krishna will prayand Arshdeep Singh It is believed that they were strengthening the domestic speed unit.
- Spin options – Products that may be included Yuzvendra Chahal, Mahesh Theekshana, Noor Ahmedand 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 campaign in IPL 2025. By blending seasoned enthusiasts with emerging talents, the franchise is aiming for years of potential translate into tangible success. With meticulous planning, a talented core, and a management team equipped for today's challenges, RCB may turn their IPL fortunes around. The pressure of expectation is growing, but the depth and leadership of the team is encouraging.
