Six players Royal Challengers Bangalore can target in the upcoming IPL Mega Auction
Royal Challengers Bangalore will step into the auction with a purse of INR 83 cr., hoping to build a side capable of lifting the IPL title.
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Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore will hope to build a side capable of lifting the IPL title. (via Cricket Addictor)
Royal Challengers Bangalore will be hoping to end their long-standing title drought, as they step into the 2025 IPL Mega Auction on the 24th and 25th of November. Surprising everyone, the BCCI announced its decision to host the IPL Mega Auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, taking it overseas for the second time.
RCB have a purse of INR 83 crores, and will rush behind some big names in the upcoming auction. They have already spent INR 37 crores on retaining three of their top stars from the previous edition. This list includes former skipper and the league’s highest run-getter, Virat Kohli, middle-order batsman Rajat Patidar and fast bowler Yash Dayal.
Virat is the most expensive Indian retention this year for INR 21 crores, followed by Patidar for INR 11 crores and Dayal for INR 4 crores. RCB have three Right to Match (RTM) cards, something they could utilize to bring back their former stars. With Kohli reportedly set to return as the team’s skipper for the season, RCB would emphasize building a team capable of lifting the title.
Their priorities will be set on buying an opener, a middle-order batsman, a wicket-keeper, an all-rounder, a valuable spinner and a fast bowler. Here is a look at the players RCB can target in the upcoming IPL Mega Auction.
Devon Conway
A prolific left-handed batsman, Devon Conway brings to the table three major qualities. Firstly, he is an opener, secondly, he can keep the wickets, and thirdly, he is a deadly player of spin. After being released by Chennai Super Kings this year, the New Zealand international will be available in the auction at a base price of INR 2 crores.
Conway has impressive IPL records to boast in his two seasons, and has also won the title once in 2023. He has scored 924 IPL runs with an impressive strike rate of 141.28, and average of 48.63. His highest score was 92 off 52 balls against Punjab Kings in 2023. Conway ended the 2023 season as the third-highest run-scorer, with 672 runs in just 14 innings.
Will Jacks
One of RCB’s top performing players from the 2024 season, Will Jacks could be snapped back with the help of the Right to Match (RTM) option. The 26-year-old, who boasts an impressive T20 record, can handle both pace and spin well. Jacks will be available at a base price of INR 2 crores. A hard-hitting all-rounder, he can also bowl off-break.
Jacks did show his brilliance at times last season. He played just eight matches for RCB, scoring 230 runs, at a strike rate of 175.57 and an average of 32.86. Jacks also scalped two wickets for his side, bowling at an economy of 11.11. What stood out, however, was his brilliant 41-ball century against Gujarat Titans, in just his fifth IPL appearance.
KL Rahul
It would be a homecoming for the former Lucknow skipper, if RCB decides to go for the 32-year-old wicket-keeper batsman. A right-handed batsman, KL Rahul can bat at multiple positions, as an opener, middle-order batsman or in the lower middle-order. He could also be handed the captain’s armband, owing to his prior leadership experiences with LSG and Punjab Kings.
Rahul has not been in the best of his form over the past few seasons. A home-grown Karnataka star, the 32-year-old however, boasts 4683 IPL runs in 132 matches, which includes 37 fifties and four centuries. The 2020 IPL season was a memorable one for Rahul, as he won the Orange Cap for scoring the most runs (670). Between 2018 and 2022, he consistently scored more than 500 runs, each season.
Yuzvendra Chahal
Another former Royal Challenger, Yuzvendra Chahal could be an easy pick this season, after having been released by Rajasthan Royals. The 34-year-old leg-spinner, who has been one of the league’s most consistent spinners, could spearhead the weak RCB bowling attack. Chahal provides the experience that the team needs, and is lethal on small grounds like the Chinnaswamy stadium.
In 160 IPL matches, Chahal holds the record for being the highest wicket-taker in the competition. He ended the previous season as the ninth highest wicket-taker, with 18 scalps from 15 matches. What might come in handy are his brilliant bowling figures, including an average of 22.45 and an economy rate of 7.84. However, the way in which his contract at RCB was terminated ahead of the 2022 season might prove to be a hindrance.
Prasidh Krishna
A local boy, fast-bowler Prasidh Krishna will be available at a base price of INR 2 crorers. The 28-year-old right-arm medium pacer is an untapped talent, and could prove to be useful for the RCB bowling attack. He would be a perfect replacement for Mohammed Siraj. Krishna holds the record for being the only Indian player to take four wickets in his international debut, against England in 2021.
He holds the capability to generate extra bounce and push batters off the back-foot, functioning greatly in the middle overs. Krishna missed the last two IPL seasons due to injury issues. However, he boasts great bowling numbers, having taken 49 wickets in 51 IPL matches. He also has a decent average of 34.76 and an economy rate of 8.92, something he would seek to improve.
Kagiso Rabada
The last player in this list would be South African pacer Kagiso Rabada, who has been released by Punjab Kings ahead of the auction. He would be a viable overseas fast-bowling option for RCB, something the team has lacked in its past few seasons. The 29-year-old right-arm bowler brings valuable IPL experience, having played for Delhi Capitals and Punjab.
Rabada currently leads the ICC Test Bowlers’ rankings, and has played 80 IPL matches. He has picked up 117 wickets, making him one of the top overseas bowlers in the league. Rabada also boasts an impressive average of 21.97 and an economy rate of 8.48, with six four-wicket hauls. He bowls well in the power-play, as well as the death overs, providing RCB with a well-rounded option.
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Siddhartha Roy
(788 Articles Published)