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After retaining only three players from the 2024 squad, RCB will enter the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah with a purse of Rs 83 crore and 3 RTMs.
5 players RCB can target at IPL 2025 mega auction. (Picture Credit: PTI, Sportzpics)
Despite playing in all 17 seasons of the IPL, Royal Challengers Bengaluru is still waiting for its maiden IPL title. Ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction, the Bengaluru-based franchise splashed out Rs 37 crore to retain three players: Virat Kohli (Rs 21 crore), Rajat Patidar (Rs 11 crore), and Rajat Patidar (Rs 5 crore). The three-time IPL losing finalist will enter the auction with a purse of Rs 83 crore, which is the second most for any side. But they will have to build the team from scratch again, and with multiple options available in each category, the team management and owners would like to sign many star players that can help the team finally end the almost two-decade-long wait for an IPL title.
Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, here’s a look at five players RCB can target on priority:
Jos Buttler: England’s white-ball captain Buttler was released by the Rajasthan Royals despite scoring 3055 runs in 83 matches for the franchise in the last six seasons. In the mega auction, Buttler will be very high on demand because of the quality batter he is and for his leadership experience as well. Under his leadership, England won the T20 World Cup title in 2022, and RCB can certainly look to sign him as a replacement for Faf du Plessis as captain and opening batter. In addition to that, he will also keep the wickets, which will help the franchise replace Dinesh Karthik, who retired from the cash-rich league at the end of IPL 2024.
Yuzvendra Chahal: In 113 IPL matches for RCB, Chahal picked up 139 wickets, but despite that, he was not retained by the Bengaluru-based franchise ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction. The 34-year-old spinner joined RR and in the last three seasons picked up 66 wickets to show that he is still a force to reckon with in the IPL. RCB would like to sign Chahal at any cost in the 2025 mega auction.
Kagiso Rabada: RCB need a world-class pacer, and South African pacer Rabada fits the required criteria. He is one of the best bowlers of present times. The 29-year-old can take wickets with the new ball and keep opposition batters under check in the death overs as well, which makes him a very interesting prospect for RCB to chase in the auction. As his alternative, RCB can target Australia’s Mitchell Starc and England’s Jofra Archer as well.
KL Rahul: KL Rahul made his IPL debut for RCB in 2013 and also played in the 2016 season for the franchise. The 32-year-old Bengaluru-based batter has scored 4683 runs in 132 IPL matches played so far for four teams. Rahul in the past has expressed his wish to play for RCB again, and after he was not retained by LSG, chances of his reunion with RCB are very high. He can also be a very good option for the franchise as captain, opening batter, and wicketkeeper.
Washington Sundar: RCB also need a quality all-rounder to pose a serious challenge for the IPL title, and Washington Sundar, who has played for the franchise from 2018 to 2021, is a player they can target in the upcoming mega auction. Sundar has raised his stocks by doing well for India in the recently concluded three-match Test series against New Zealand. Apart from his quality off-spin bowling, Sundar can contribute with the bat as well.
