The three-time IPL runners-up Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are desperate to win their first IPL trophy. In the last five seasons, RCB reached the playoffs for four editions. Last season, RCB won only one match in their first eight fixtures but strongly made a comeback and beat the odds to qualify for the playoffs after winning all their last six league stage games. 

RCB retained two capped and one uncapped player ahead of the mega auction. To retain three players, the franchise spent INR 37 crore, as they had INR 83 crore in the purse for the mega auction. 

SEE ALSO: IPL 2025: Ranking all ten teams squads post the 2025 IPL Mega Auction

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Key additions from the mega auction

In the mega auction, RCB spent more than INR 10 crore for four key names, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, English opener Phil Salt, Indian cricketer Jitesh Sharma and pacer Bhuvneswar Kumar. They also have some big all-rounder names in the middle-order batting, like Liam Livingstone, Tim David, and Krunal Pandya. Devdutt Padikkal has returned to the RCB. The other big names in the pace-bowling options are South African Lungi Ngidi and Sri Lankan Nuwan Thusara. 

RCB Full Squad

Batters: Virat Kohli (retained), Rajat Patidar (retained), Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chikara

Wicketkeepers: Phil Salt (English), Jitesh Sharma

All-rounders: (RTM) Swapnil Singh, Liam Livingstone (English), Tim David (Australian), Jacob Bethell (English), Romario Shepherd (Guyanese), Krunal Pandya, Manoj Bhandage, Mohit Rathee

Spinners: Suyash Sharma

Pacers: Yash Dayal (retained), Josh Hazlewood (Australian), Lungi Ngidi (South African), Nuwan Thusara (Sri Lankan), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam Dar, Abhinandan Singh

Brief SWOT analysis

RCB have strong top-order and middle-order batting. The overseas all-rounders have strong strike rates which is appropriate for middle-order batting in T20 cricket. The bowling line-up is new with some big international names. RCB have limited experienced Indian names in pace and spin bowling options. The other Indian names in these categories aren’t experienced. 

RCB Best Possible XI for IPL 2025

Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone, Tim David/Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lungi Ngidi/Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal

Just like the fans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are desperate to end their long wait for the IPL trophy success in the forthcoming seasons. 

RCB retained three players, two capped and one uncapped, and officially deducted INR 37 crore before the mega auction. So, they have started the mega auction with the remaining purse of INR 83 crore.

RCB spend more than INR 10 crores for two overseas players Josh Hazlewood and Phil Salt. Meanwhile, Jitesh Sharma and Bhvuneshwar Kumar are the two other cricketers to earn more than INR 10 crore bids from the RCB. They also have Liam Livingstone, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Lungi Ngidi, Nuwan Thusara, etc. RCB used only one RTM for the uncapped Indian spinner Swapnil Singh. Former RCB player Devdutt Padikkal has returned to the squad. 

SEE ALSO: IPL 2025: Top 5 Most Overpriced Players from the 2025 IPL Mega Auction

Pre Auction Retentions

(Capped)

Virat Kohli (Indian): INR 21 Crore

Rajat Patidar (Indian): INR 11 Crore

(Uncapped)

Yash Dayal (Indian): INR 5 Crore

Right-to-Match (RTM) card availability for the mega auction

3 capped players or 2 capped + 1 uncapped players

Mega Auction Buys

Josh Hazlewood (Australian): Base price INR 2 crore – Bid won INR 12.50 crore

Phil Salt (English): Base price INR 2 crore – Bid won INR 11.50 crore

JItesh Sharma (Indian): Base price INR 1 crore – Bid won INR 11 crore

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Indian): Base price INR 2 crore – Bid won INR 10.75 crore

Liam Livingstone (English): Base price INR 2 crore – Bid won INR 8.75 crore   

Rasikh Salam (Indian): Base price INR 30 lakh – Bid won INR 6 crore

Krunal Pandya (Indian): Base price INR 2 crore – Bid won INR 5.75 crore

Tim David (Australian): Base price INR 2 crore – Bid won INR 3 crore

Suyash Sharma (Indian): Base price INR 30 lakh – Bid won INR 2.60 crore

Jacob Bethell (English): Base price INR 1.25 crore – Bid won INR 2.60 crore

Devdutt Padikkal (Indian): Base price INR 2 crore – Bid won INR 2 crore

Nuwan Thushara (Sri Lankan): Base price INR 75 lakh – Bid won INR 1.60 crore

Romario Shepherd (Guyanese): Base price INR 1.50 crore – Bid won INR 1.50 crore

Lungi Ngidi (South African): Base price INR 1 crore – Bid won INR 1 crore

RTM Swapnil Singh (Indian): Base price INR 30 lakh – Bid won INR 50 lakh

Abhinandan Singh (Indian): Base price INR 30 lakh – Bid won INR 30 lakh

Swastik Chikara (Indian): Base price INR 30 lakh – Bid won INR 30 lakh

Mohit Rathee (Indian): Base price INR 30 lakh – Bid won INR 30 lakh

Manoj Bhandage (Indian): Base price INR 30 lakh – Bid won INR 30 lakh

Full Squad

Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thushara, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chhikara, Lungi Ngidi, Abhinandan Singh, Mohit Rathee

Best Playing XI

Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone, Tim David/Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lungi Ngidi/Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal

As all 10 franchises gear up to lock horns in the upcoming mega auction in Riyadh later this month, most of their quest will be centered around looking for a new captain. The Indian wicketkeepers featuring the likes of Rishab Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer will also be in contention in this year’s mega auction race. 

As many as four IPL franchises have released their respective captains ahead of the grand Riyadh auction. Faf has been released by RCB, KL Rahul released by LSG, Pant released by DC, and Iyer released by the defending champions KKR to name a few. With sweeping changes expected across the horizon, we highlight some common problems the franchises are expected to encounter in this forthcoming auction. 

Common headaches for all franchises ahead of the IPL auction

As we have now learnt, teams have expressed their desire to let go of their captains. The exit of the past skippers will undoubtedly leave a power vacuum. KKR, RCB, LSG, and DC will be without their former captains who performed remarkably well for them over the years. The gap can also result in decreased performance and impact on the field as well as off-the-field relationships between the players and the coaching staff. In other words, with new talent onboard, success may not always be guaranteed as the players and the management need to starch from scratch while forging new relations. 

Besides, the departure of other veteran players like Pant or Iyer can leave the team vulnerable on the biggest of stages. Iyer, who was the winning captain of KRR last year comes with a lot of experience and the franchise could have certainly benefitted from him once again in the next season. However, the arrival of a fresh captain can potentially change the dynamics and the composure of the KKR team for the worse. 

While some teams are on the lookout for fresh talent to lead their side, others are also gearing up to find match-winners in the form of wicket-keepers such as Rishab Pant and KL Rahul.  The franchises will have a lot of tough decisions to make as we fast approach the mega auction so don't be surprised if they make any move out of the ordinary.  

Veteran RCB star batter Virat Kohli shared his happiness over being retained by the franchise before the IPL 2025 mega auction. He also said that the goal of the franchise would be to win the IPL title at least once in the three-year cycle. Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar and Yash Dayal are the three players retained by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. However, Kohli was retained for a massive price of Rs 21 crore, which further extended his association with the franchise to 18 years as well.

"Hi Guys, a big hello to everyone at RCB, the fans, the people involved. Behind the scenes. The management, everyone. I'm sending out this message to inform everyone that l've been retained by RCB once again for the three-year cycle of the IPL, beginning next year, and I'm super excited as ever. Everyone knows what RCB means to me. It's been a very, very special relationship over so many years which continues to grow stronger and what I've experienced playing for RCB is truly, truly special, and I hope the fans and everyone who's connected to a franchise feels the same way. At the end of this cycle it's going to be 20 years that l am going to play for RCB and then that in itself is an honour," Virat Kohli said in a video posted by the RCB on their social media.

SEE ALSO: Watch: Rohit Sharma's Playful 'Rohit Bhai RCB Me Aa Jao Yaar' Query Goes Viral

RCB's goal to win the IPL title once

"Something that we were really looking forward to as a franchise, as a team and also just looking ahead to this cycle all next year. Obviously, the goal is to win the IPL title at least once in the next cycle, and we're going to give it our best shot as always and try to make everyone proud of the way we play. So a big shout-out to the fans for your unwavering support over so many years. Really grateful, really thankful and l'l see you guys very soon. At Chinnaswamy. One cheers. Take care," he added.

Watch the video here-

“𝐀𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝟑-𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝟐𝟎 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐂𝐁 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠.”

King Kohli expresses his feelings and aspirations for the upcoming IPL ahead of the Mega Auction… pic.twitter.com/aKZEv8mtYf

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) October 31, 2024

It will be interesting to see how Royal Challengers Bengaluru will perform in the upcoming season as well.

Three times IPL runners-up Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have announced their retention on the retention deadline. 

Four out of the last five seasons, including the IPL 2024, RCB reached the playoffs but couldn’t reach the final. They finished as the runners-up in 2009, 2011, and 2016 after losing the finals against Deccan Chargers, Chennai Super Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, respectively. 

RCB also participated in the now-defunct Champions League T20 three times, where they reached the semi-finals in the 2010 edition and finished as the runners-up in the 2011 edition. 

Although RCB were eliminated from the Eliminator at the IPL 2024, it was one of their great seasons. At the end of their eighth match of the season, RCB won only one and had two points. From that hopeless situation, RCB made a remarkable comeback in the tournament by winning all their last six league-stage games and qualified for the Eliminator in an inspiring way. 

South African cricketer Faf du Plessis has been leading RCB since IPL 2022. Only in three matches during the IPL 2023, Virat Kohli led the RCB when Faf played as the impact player. 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru player retention

RCB retained three players for INR 37 crore. They retained two capped players and one uncapped player. RCB will start the mega auction with INR 83 crore. 

(Capped)

Virat Kohli (Indian): INR 21 Crore

Rajat Patidar (Indian): INR 11 Crore

(Uncapped)

Yash Dayal (Indian): INR 5 Crore

Right-to-Match (RTM) card availability for the mega auction

3 capped players or 2 capped + 1 uncapped players

Former South African player AB de Villiers shared his gratitude to star India batter Virat Kohli for his ‘kind words’ after being inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame along with legendary England batter Alastair Cook and former Indian women’s cricketer Neetu David.

However, Kohli and AB de Villiers played together for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and shared a lot of match-winning partnerships in the Indian Premier League (IPL). After De Villiers became a part of the elite list of cricketers in the ICC Hall of Fame, Kohli referred to him as “the most talented cricketer I have played with".

AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli played together for RCB

Meanwhile, AB de Villiers, who retired from international cricket in 2018, and last played in the IPL back in 2021, thanked Virat Kohli for his gesture. He also shared that rather than his records, he always wanted to be remembered as a player for whom the team was more important rather than personal milestones as well.

SEE ALSO: Watch: Rohit Sharma's Playful 'Rohit Bhai RCB Me Aa Jao Yaar' Query Goes Viral

“It is really special for me" - AB de Villiers

“It is really special for me and obviously Virat as well, thank you so very much for the kind words. What I am really proud about is Virat speaking about me always putting the team first,” De Villiers said, as quoted by ICC.

“Always prepared to do everything I can to have an impact on the team. And that’s how I want to be remembered by, not by my stats or my records. I want to be remembered as a guy who contributed to the team and always put the team first. I am very, very proud about that and I will not shy away from that. That is certainly the way I played my cricket and it was always a priority to me,” AB de Villiers further added.

However, after making his debut way back in 2005, AB de Villiers became one of the greatest cricketers of world cricket as well. In 538 matches across formats for South Africa, he smashed 16 centuries and 108 half-centuries as well.

Former India and RCB wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has been named as the new batting coach and mentor of the IPL franchise. They announced on Monday (July 1). The veteran had recently retired from all forms of the game after the conclusion of IPL 2024 as well.

However, Karthik was a part of the Indian squad that won the inaugural T20 World Cup back in 2007 and he has played every single edition of the IPL until his retirement as well. He has played with RCB from 2022-24 whereas he was a part of KKR before that. His stunning form as a finisher in the 2022 season saw him get picked in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia as well.

Even though he had a mixed season in 2023, Karthik retired, scoring over 300 runs at a stellar strike rate of 187.36.

In a recent interview with Cricbuzz, Karthik said, “Coaching and broadcasting is what I’m thinking I’ll mix in the foreseeable future. It’s not as simple as it looks. But I must admit, a few of the players who’ve played in RCB itself are very keen to come and work with me in Chennai. So, that is a positive. It’s very exciting.”

SEE ALSO: Rahul Dravid gets the perfect send-off from the team, says, “I tried my best whenever I played”

“I am eager to coach and mentor our batting group” – Dinesh Karthik

He further added: “Coaching at a professional level is incredibly exciting for me and is something I’m truly passionate about as a new chapter in my life. Hopefully, the breadth of my experiences as a player can contribute to the development of the group and bring added value.”

“I believe that cricket success hinges not only on technical proficiency but also on match intelligence and composure. I am eager to coach and mentor our batting group, helping them to not only refine their method but also to develop the keen match awareness needed to excel under pressure. It’s also great that I can continue my association with RCB as the franchise continues to move from strength to strength,” he again shared.

Meanwhile, RCB’s director of cricket Mo Bobat also expressed his happiness at the acquisition and excitement with this new move.

“DK is an excellent addition to our coaching group. He was thrilling to watch on the field, and I’m sure he will be just as impactful as a coach. His longevity and track record as a player speaks volumes about his skill and dedication. I know he will bring that same quality and commitment to this new professional chapter.

DK’s experiences across both international cricket and the IPL, make him a huge asset to RCB. I have no doubt that our players will benefit hugely from his expert support. As a player, DK demonstrated an elite mindset under pressure and a real drive to keep evolving his game. I’m looking forward to him instilling those same qualities and values into our players, and in particular, our batters. We have exciting times ahead and it’s great for us that we can retain DK’s involvement, as someone who knows what it takes to play for RCB and our special fans,” Bobat added.

Just a week after retiring from the Indian Premier League (IPL), Dinesh Karthik officially called time for his entire cricket career. In an emotional post on social media, Karthik confirmed his retirement, saying, “I put my playing days behind me.”

His final professional game was the IPL 2024 eliminator match against Rajasthan Royals, a poignant end to a storied career. As the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) players went around the stadium thanking fans, Karthik received a heartfelt embrace from Virat Kohli and a guard of honour from his teammates, marking a touching farewell.

See Also: Know everything about India’s 2024 T20 World Cup warm-up match

Decision to Retire from All Forms of Cricket

In his social media post, Karthik reflected on his decision to retire and expressed gratitude for the love and support he received. He acknowledged the role of fans, teammates, coaches, and his family in his journey. Karthik mentioned that while he had the physical ability to continue playing, he was not mentally ready to extend his career further.

Karthik also extended a huge vote of thanks to his supporters during the long journey.

“I’d like to thank all my coaches, captains, selectors, teammates and members of the support staff who have made this long journey pleasant and enjoyable. Among the millions that play the sport in our country, I consider myself among the lucky few to have had the chance to represent the nation, and luckier still to have earned the goodwill of so many fans and friends.

“My parents have been pillars of strength and support over all these years, and I wouldn’t be what I am without their blessings. I also owe plenty to Dipika (Pallikal), herself a professional sportsperson who often put her career on hold to walk my journey with me.

“Of course, to all the fans and followers of our great game, a massive thank you! Cricket and cricketers wouldn’t be the same without your support and good wishes.”

Early Career and Rise to Prominence

Dinesh Karthik’s cricket journey began in domestic cricket, where his talent quickly shone through. Making his international debut in 2004, he initially struggled to cement his place in the Indian team. However, his perseverance paid off, and he soon became known for his agility behind the stumps and his versatility with the bat.

International Career Highlights

Karthik’s international career is studded with key performances, particularly in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 Internationals (T20Is). His memorable innings, including match-winning knocks in crucial games, have left an indelible mark. Karthik played pivotal roles in several ICC tournaments, contributing to India’s successes on numerous occasions.

Role in Indian Premier League (IPL)

Overall, Karthik represented six IPL teams. Starting with Daredevils (2008-14), he moved to Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings – 2011), Mumbai Indians (2012-13), Gujarat Lions (2016-17), Kolkata Knight Riders (2018-21) and RCB (2015, 2022-present). Overall in 256 matches, Karthik has scored 4816 runs at an average of nearly 26, striking at over 135 with 22 half centuries. As a keeper, Karthik is second on list behind Dhoni in overall dismissals (172) as well as stumpings (36).

An established captain in Tamil Nadu, his state in domestic cricket, Karthik has also led in the IPL – on six occasions as a stand-in skipper at Daredevils, and 37 times between 2018 and 2020 at KKR before he stepped down. Overall, his captaincy record reads: 21 wins, 21 losses and one tied match.

The IPL 2024 Farewell

Karthik’s final IPL game against Rajasthan Royals was a momentous occasion. As he took off his gloves and acknowledged the fans, an emotional scene unfolded. Virat Kohli’s embrace and the guard of honour from his teammates highlighted the respect and admiration he garnered over the years. The fans’ applause and the team’s tribute underscored the impact he had on and off the field.

The Emotional Farewell Ceremony

The farewell ceremony for Karthik was a fitting tribute to his illustrious career. The RCB players and fans joined in celebrating his achievements, creating a memorable and emotional send-off. The guard of honour and the fans’ enthusiastic participation underscored the respect and admiration he commanded.

Post-Retirement Plans

Looking ahead, Karthik has expressed interest in exploring various roles within cricket, including administration and commentary. His experience and insights make him a valuable potential coach or mentor, capable of guiding the next generation of cricketers.

Veteran India player turned mentor Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli’s on-field relationship made headlines a few times when the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) played against each other in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. In the recently-concluded season, Gambhir as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor ‘hugged it out’ with Virat Kohli to make things normal for them and everyone.

Gautam Gambhir mentored KKR in IPL 2024

However, Shreyas Iyer-led KKR, under the guidance of Gambhir, beat Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to win their third IPL title. After the win, Gambhir became the frontrunner for the Indian men’s cricket team’s head coach job after Rahul Dravid’s tenure end following the 2024 T20 World Cup.

“The perception is far away from the reality. My relation with Virat Kohli is something this country doesn’t need to know. He has as much right as I do to express himself and help our respective teams win. Our relation is not to give masala to public,” Gambhir told Sportskeeda.

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

Earlier, Virat Kohli had recalled his ‘viral’ hug with him as well, saying: “People are very disappointed with my behaviour. I hugged Naveen, and then the other day, Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir) came and hugged me. Your masala is over so you’re booing. We’re not kids anymore.”

Gambhir and Kohli both moved on

Notably, the on-field flare-ups between Gambhir and Kohli are well-known, but now it seemed they have moved on from their past rivalry. The duo was seen hugging each other after a match between KKR and Royal Challengers Bengaluru as well and a clip of them chatting went viral on social media as well.

Meanwhile, a BCCI source recently revealed that the Gambhir-Kohli bust-up has ended as well. “If people are talking about Gambhir’s friction with Virat Kohli, it can be confirmed that the two have always got along well off the field,” the source added. “Even after the bust-up during an IPL match last year, the two were made to sit down and sort out any issue if they indeed had one.”

Veteran Team India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has shared that he is perfectly fit to play professional cricket for another three years as well. However, he feels he wouldn’t be able to cope with the mental side now. With Karthik unlikely to play for India again, he also retired from his IPL career recently. He also played his final IPL match this year against the Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator at the Narendra Modi Stadium as well.

Dinesh Karthik had a good season in IPL 2024

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Karthik said: “I think I am physically very much prepared to play for another three years. Especially with the Impact Player rule, it becomes that much easier. Touch wood, I have never missed a game because of an injury through my three decades. I’ve been blessed that way. I was never worried about my body or my fitness. It was all about the mental side of things, whether I’ll be able to push as much in the lead-up to the tournament, whether if I don’t play as many matches, will I be okay with it.”

When he was asked what kept him motivated after a poor IPL season last year, Karthik said that he has always been “extremely motivated.” He hasn’t missed a single season of IPL since its inception in 2008. With 257 matches, he is the joint (along with Rohit Sharma) second-most capped player in IPL history after MS Dhoni as well.

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

“I am internally very, very motivated” – Dinesh Karthik

“I am internally very, very motivated. Intrinsically, extremely motivated and I’ve lived by the mantra that if you are the best, no one can stop you. I just believed if I get one chance, I should make the most of it. I never cribbed. I was always thinking like I got a chance but I missed it. I got a tournament here, but I probably could have done better in this match. And that kept me going,” he said.

Dinesh Karthik further shared that family functions have kept him busy amid the feeling of retirement and he also recalled how nervous he was before the IPL 2024 against CSK.

“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. There’s lots happening in the house, there’s a couple of weddings and all so I’ve been pretty busy with that. It’s a tad bit emotional, a tad bit relief. In a way, I was mentally prepared for whenever it had to happen. But I was so much more prepared for 18th May. Once that part of the tournament was crossed, I was extremely elated and very, very happy and grateful. The 22nd came around pretty fast, but overall it was a mixed feeling of relief, emotion and the fact that it has all come to an end,” Dinesh Karthik concluded.