Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has recently disclosed their targeted player list for the IPL 2025 mega auction, which has sparked discussions among fans.
RCB faced criticism for their strategy during the IPL 2025 mega auction, particularly for their limited spending and focus on specific players.
The only player they aggressively pursued was Venkatesh Iyer, who ultimately went to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for ₹23.75 crore, leaving RCB to settle for former player Devdutt Padikkal instead.
RCB’s most expensive acquisition was Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who was re-signed for ₹12.50 crore.
Other significant purchases included England’s Phil Salt for ₹11.50 crore and Indian wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma for ₹11 crore, both aimed at strengthening their batting lineup.
The team retained only three players: Virat Kohli (₹21 crore), Rajat Patidar (₹11 crore), and Yash Dayal (₹5 crore), which set the stage for a strategic overhaul of their squad with a remaining auction purse of ₹83 crore, the second largest among all franchises.
RCB’s Targeted Players
RCB’s planning video revealed a list of players they intended to target during the auction:
- Overseas Opener: Phil Salt
- No. 3 Batsman: Venkatesh Iyer (missed out)
- Middle Order Options:
- No. 5: David Miller, Liam Livingstone, Tim David, Donovan Ferreira, Rovman Powell (secured Livingstone and David)
- No. 6: Jitesh Sharma
- No. 7 Indian Batter: Krunal Pandya or uncapped players Swastik Chikara and Manoj Bhandage1410.
RCB Key Players Targeted Who Were Missed
In a video released post-auction, RCB outlined the players they aimed to target to strengthen their squad:
Top Targets:
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Kagiso Rabada
- Mitchell Starc
- Ravichandran Ashwin
Criticism and Fan Reactions
Former cricketers and fans expressed disappointment with RCB’s cautious approach in the auction.
Critics highlighted that RCB missed opportunities to acquire marquee players like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and Mitchell Starc, which raised questions about their long-term strategy.
Robin Uthappa and Eoin Morgan were particularly vocal about their concerns regarding the team’s direction and decision-making during the auction.
