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The upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction is set to be a spectacle, and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have made a bold move by retaining only three players: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. Despite their massive fan base and history, RCB still haven't clinched the IPL title. While last season's playoff run, largely fueled by Kohli's exceptional form, fell short of the final, RCB is determined to create a more balanced squad this year, moving away from their reliance on a few key players.
With a hefty purse of Rs 83 crore, RCB is poised to make a significant impact at the auction, aiming to reshape their squad in pursuit of their elusive first IPL championship. RCB's retention policy is strategic and clear. Virat Kohli, as their star attraction, not only enhances the team's profile but also draws in fans and sponsors. His outstanding performance in IPL 2024, scoring 479 runs at an impressive average of 61.75, justifies his hefty retention price. Another key player retained is Rajat Patidar, who impressed in his debut season with RCB in 2021, scoring an unbeaten 112 off 54 balls against the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2022 eliminator. Despite joining as a replacement player, he finished as the team's third-highest run-scorer in 2022, amassing 333 runs at a strike rate of 152.75.
Yash Dayal, acquired by RCB for Rs 5 crore in the IPL 2024 auction, justified his price by taking 14 wickets with an impressive economy rate of 9.15, considering the dimensions of RCB's home venue, Chinnaswamy Stadium. Retaining him for Rs 4 crore seems like a wise decision for the franchise. With only three key players retained and a substantial Rs 83 crore auction purse remaining, RCB is counting on the auction to build a title-winning squad from scratch. Looking ahead, RCB has the budget to explore a wide range of options in the auction. They can target quality Indian wicketkeeper-batters like KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant, as well as sought-after bowlers such as Trent Boult and their former player, Yuzvendra Chahal. Additionally, they have three Right to Match (RTM) cards to strategically repurchase key players like Mohammed Siraj.
Among the overseas batting options, RCB could consider players like Jake Fraser-McGurk, Will Jacks, Rachin Ravindra, and Cameron Green, all of whom could strengthen their batting lineup. Overall, RCB's retention strategy and massive auction purse signal their commitment to building a well-rounded squad capable of winning the IPL title. They have the resources and the ambition to make a significant impact in the mega auction and compete for the championship in IPL 2025.