IPL 2025: RCB Mega Auction Strategy; Which Players Will They Target?

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Virat Kohli for RCB [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]Virat Kohli for RCB [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru has been one of the most followed franchises in the Indian Premier League. Over the years, they have boasted of having some of the biggest superstars in the world of cricket. From Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers to the omnipresent Virat Kohli, RCB has been graced by the presence of some great names. 

Although the team has always been star-studded, the franchise has struggled to find the formula to win. Putting together a winning combination has not been RCB’s cup of tea. With the IPL 2025 mega auction approaching, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be looking to build a strong unit to serve them for the upcoming two or three seasons. So, what could be their strategy in the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction?

Before discussing how RCB might approach their auction strategy, let's examine the franchise's retentions for IPL 2025. 

RCB's Retention List And Purse Remaining for IPL 2025 Mega Auction

Player
Retention Cost
Virat Kohli₹ 21 Cr
Rajat Patidar₹ 11 Cr
Yash Dayal₹ 5 Cr

Slots Left - 22
Purse Remaining - ₹ 83 Cr
RTMs Available - 3 (2 Capped/1 Uncapped)

What Will Be RCB’s Plan For The IPL 2025 Mega Auction?

  • Top Order—RCB has, over the years, believed in building a strong top order. We have seen them approach auctions with the target of including batters who can provide them with firepower at the beginning of their innings. They also look for a player in their top four who can also contribute with the ball in hand.
  • Balance in Middle Order—RCB can approach this season by looking for balance in the middle order. Often, they have struggled after the fall of their top three of four and have ceded matches that they should have won easily. So, during the IPL 2025 mega auction, RCB can look to recruit some players who can provide solidity to the middle order of the team.
  • Balanced Pace Attack—RCB's best league performances were when they had at least one good overseas pace bowler. One of the best things they can do this year is pick up an overseas pacer and form the bowling unit around him with other Indian pacers. Also, the management can look for a specialist death bowler, as that has been their struggle since the inception of the tournament.
  • Quality Spinner - Once again, RCB will strive for balance in the bowling attack. They will be playing most of their league games on the flat deck of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Atleast a couple of quality spinners are something RCB must look for during the IPL 2025 mega auction. 

Budget Allocation And Prime Target Players Of RCB For IPL 2025 Mega Auction

Top Order Batters

Estimated Spent - ₹ 20-25 Cr

Prime Targets

KL Rahul - Base Price INR 2Cr, Shreyas Iyer - Base Price INR 2 Cr, Jake Fraser-McGurk - Base Price INR 2 Cr, Mitchell Marsh - Base Price INR 2 Cr, Jos Buttler - INR 2 Cr.

Back Ups

Rahul Tripathi - Base Price INR 75 Lakhs, Rachin Ravindra - Base Price INR 1.5 Cr, Aiden Markram - Base Price INR 2 Cr, Ishan Kishan - Base Price INR 2 Cr.

Middle Order Batters  

Estimated Spent -  ₹ 15 - 20 Cr

Prime Targets

Tim David - Base Price INR 2 Cr, Marcus Stoinis - Base Price INR 2 Cr, Dewald Brevis - Base Price INR 75 Lakhs.

Backups 

Michael Bracewell -  Base Price INR 1.5 Cr, Donovan Ferreira - Base Price INR 75 Lakhs.

Pace Bowlers 

Estimated Spent - ₹ 20 - 25 Cr

Prime Targets

Akash Deep - Base Price INR 1 Cr, Mohammed Siraj - Base Price INR 2 Cr, Josh Hazlewood - Base Price INR 2 Cr, Mitchell Starc - Base Price INR 2 Cr, Lockie Ferguson - Base Price INR 2 Cr.

Backups

Umesh Yadav - Base Price INR 2 Cr, Naveen Ul Haq - Base Price INR 2 Cr, Spencer Johnson - Base Price INR 2 Cr, Reece Topley - Base Price INR 75 Lakhs.

Spinners

Estimated Spent - ₹ 10 - 15 Cr

Prime Targets

Adil Rashid - Base Price INR 2 Cr, Yuzvendra Chahal - Base Price INR 2 Cr, Ravi Ashwin - Base Price INR 2 Cr

Back Ups

Matt Kuhnemann - Base Price INR 75 Lakhs, Rishad Hossain - Base Price INR 75 Lakhs, Keshav Maharaj - Base Price INR 75 Lakhs.