Even though RCB surprised one and all by not bidding for some top players at the IPL Auctions recently, but still they managed to get hold of a few players, who might end up playing a crucial role in their team’s journey in IPL 2025. Most Importantly, and expectedly — they retained Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar and Yash Dayal, as their core players.
InsideSport takes a look at how RCB’s batting unit could look like, when the tournament starts, with a plethora of options.
Virat Kohli In Opening Slot
It is a no-brainer that Virat Kohli is going to be opening for RCB. Not only has he a great record for the franchise, but has held that role for a while now. In this year’s IPL, in 15 matches he scored 741 runs at an average of 61, and slammed one ton and five fifties as well. So, one opener is sorted for sure. On the other hand, it will most likely be England’s explosive opener Phil Salt coming in.
Bought for 11.50 Cr, Salt has decent amount of experience, and played 38 T20Is for England. In those matches he has scored 1106 runs at an average of 36 and a strike-rate of 165.
Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma & Couple of Englishmen in Middle
While the number at which they bat could be different, but for now Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Jacob Bethell and Liam Livingstone seem to be making the cut in the middle-order. Patidar, who has thrown his hat in for the captaincy, was in prime form in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He ended the tournament as second-highest run-getter, and in 10 matches scored 428 runs. He averages 61 and had a strike-rate of 186.
Krunal Pandya as Finisher
The sr. Pandya still has some sting left in his career. He had a decent all-round show in the SMAT. With the bat, he scored 136 runs in 9 matches for Baroda, with 45 as his highest. Although he wasn’t exceptional by any stretch of imagination, but he could just do the job for RCB, as far as the finisher’s role is concerned.
RCB Full Squad IPL 2025
| Player | Price (Rs) |
| Liam Livingstone | 8.75 cr |
| Phil Salt | 11.50 cr |
| Jitesh Sharma | 11 cr |
| Josh Hazlewood | 12.50 cr |
| Rasikh Dar | 6 cr |
| Suyash Sharma | 2.60 cr |
| Krunal Pandya | 5.75 cr |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 10.75 cr |
| Swapnil Singh | 0.50 cr |
| Tim David | 3 cr |
| Romario Shepherd | 1.50 cr |
| Nuwan Thushara | 1.60 cr |
| Manoj Bhandage | 0.30 cr |
| Jacob Bethell | 2.6 cr |
| Devutt Padikkal | 2 cr |
| Swastik Chikkara | 0.30 cr |
| Lungisani Ngidi | 1 cr |
| Abhinandan Singh | 0.30 cr |
| Mohit Rathee | 0.30 cr |
| Virat Kohli | 21 cr |
| Rajat Patidar | 11 cr |
| Yash Dayal | 4 cr |
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