IPL 2025 Auction RCB Target Players - Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Strategy and Squad Plans

RCB’s Retained Players and Auction Overview

The much-anticipated IPL 2025 mega auction is set to take place on November 24-25, 2024, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for all franchises. The auction will feature over 574 players across various categories, with teams allowed to retain up to six players, including the use of Right to Match (RTM) cards. For Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), this auction presents a critical opportunity to build a squad capable of clinching their maiden IPL title.

RCB Squad Overview and Retentions

Retained Players: RCB has opted to retain three core players:

• Virat Kohli: The iconic batter and a long-time RCB talisman.
• Rajat Patidar: A rising star in Indian cricket, known for his consistent batting.
• Yash Dayal: A promising left-arm pacer.

Key Metrics:

• Total Money Spent: INR 37 crore
• Salary Cap Available: INR 83 crore
• Available RTM Cards: 3

This gives RCB the financial muscle to bid aggressively for marquee players while leveraging Right to Match (RTM) cards to retain additional talent.

RCB’s Strategy for IPL 2025 Auction

With INR 83 crore in hand, RCB enters the auction with a robust purse to target top-tier talents. The team aims to fill key gaps in their middle order, pace attack, and all-rounder slots while ensuring strong backups for crucial positions.

RCB’s Primary Focus Areas:

1. Finisher Role: RCB will look for a dependable power-hitter to address their historical struggles with closing matches.
2. All-Rounders: Multi-skilled players like Ben Stokes or Sam Curran could be high on RCB’s wishlist to provide balance.
3. Overseas Firepower: Targeting explosive T20 specialists, such as Glenn Phillips or Tim David, for a dynamic batting lineup.
4. Bowling Depth: Adding variety to the bowling attack with wrist spinners and death-over specialists will be a priority. Overseas pacers like Shaheen Afridi or Mitchell Starc may be pursued if available.

Potential Targets for RCB in IPL 2025

Right to Match (RTM) Options

RCB has three RTM cards to utilize strategically during the IPL 2025 Auction. They are likely to prioritize the following players:

1. Mohammed Siraj: The leading Indian pacer, who has been in stellar form across formats.

2. Faf du Plessis: A dependable opener and the captain in IPL 2023, bringing invaluable experience.

3. Akash Deep: An emerging pace bowler with raw talent.

4. Will Jacks: An explosive overseas batter who provides flexibility in the middle order.

Target Overseas Players

To enhance squad versatility, RCB is expected to target 6-7 overseas players, focusing on batters, all-rounders, and wicketkeeper-batters. Some top options include:

1. Najibullah Zadran (Afghanistan): A powerful left-handed batter, adept at finishing games.

2. Harry Tector (Ireland): A young batting prodigy with a solid T20 reputation.

3. William O’Rourke (New Zealand): A promising pacer with pace and accuracy.

4. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh): A quality all-rounder who contributes with both bat and ball.

5. Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka): A versatile all-rounder who can strengthen the lower middle order.

6. Quinton de Kock (South Africa): An experienced wicketkeeper-batter and a potential opening partner for Kohli.

7. Jonny Bairstow (England): A destructive batter capable of turning games single-handedly.

Indian Players on RCB’s Radar

With 14-16 slots likely to be filled by Indian players, RCB is expected to focus on a mix of seasoned players and domestic talents. Key targets include:

Bowlers:

1. Yuzvendra Chahal: The iconic leg-spinner and former RCB stalwart.

2. Arshdeep Singh: A dependable left-arm pacer for death bowling.

3. Avesh Khan: Known for his pace and ability to pick wickets at crucial moments.

4. T. Natarajan: A specialist in delivering yorkers during the death overs.

5. Vyshak Vijaykumar: A local talent with KSCA roots and promising performances.

All-Rounders:

1. Deepak Hooda: A reliable batting all-rounder who can chip in with the ball.

2. Washington Sundar: An economical spinner and a handy lower-order batter.

3. Shreyas Gopal: A leg-spinning all-rounder capable of making impactful contributions.

4. Shubhang Hegde: A budding all-rounder from Karnataka with potential.

Batters:

1. Devdutt Padikkal: A former RCB opener who could reunite with the squad.

2. KL Rahul: A world-class batter and a strong candidate for RCB’s captaincy.

3. Angkrish Raghuvanshi: A young batter with immense promise for the future.

Additional Bowlers:

1. Prasidh Krishna: A tall and fast bowler, perfect for the middle overs.

2. Kuldeep Sen: Known for his ability to bowl quick and hard lengths.

3. Vidwath Kaverappa: A rising star from Karnataka’s domestic circuit.

Expected Squad Composition for IPL 2025

Based on their targets, RCB’s IPL 2025 squad could look like this:

Core Retained Players:

• Virat Kohli
• Rajat Patidar
• Yash Dayal

RTM Players:

• Mohammed Siraj
• Faf du Plessis
• Will Jacks

Overseas Players:

• Quinton de Kock
• Najibullah Zadran
• Mehidy Hasan Miraz
• Harry Tector
• William O’Rourke
• Kamindu Mendis

Indian Players:

• KL Rahul
• Deepak Hooda
• Yuzvendra Chahal
• Arshdeep Singh
• Devdutt Padikkal
• Washington Sundar
• Prasidh Krishna
• Shubhang Hegde
• Vyshak Vijaykumar
• Angkrish Raghuvanshi

With a balanced combination of retained players, RTM picks, and new recruits, RCB is gearing up for a title-contending IPL 2025. The management’s focus on addressing key gaps in death bowling, all-rounders, and middle-order stability might finally help RCB break their title jinx. Fans are hopeful that this squad will script history and bring the coveted IPL trophy to Bengaluru.