KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant – who is better suited for RCB ahead of IPL 2025 auction?

As fans, we are about to be hit with some shocking news in less than five days as the IPL 2025 retention day approaches. While the IPL rumours have been endless these days, it just offers the fact that the upcoming mega auction is going to be the biggest ever. After all, teams are bound to splash some heavy cash in order to retain their favourite players, forcing some big names to enter the auction. Interestingly, “some big names” might include Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. The two Indian superstars, who are designated captains of Delhi Capitals (DC) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), respectively, are heavily rumoured to be released and enter the IPL 2025 mega auction.

KL Rahul & Rishabh Pant: the Hottest properties!

If released, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant will be the hottest commodities in the upcoming IPL auction. Both are absolute beasts with the bat, and their potential departure from their current teams will get everyone buzzing. Rahul’s consistent runs and leadership skills make him a top pick, while Pant’s explosive batting and wicketkeeping make him a superb X-factor. On top of all this, any one of the two will provide a huge identity to a franchise.

Given their huge reputation and fan following, both Rahul and Pant will bring monetary advantage due to sponsorships as well. These two are going to be the most sought-after players, with every team wanting a piece of the action. It’s going to be a bidding war for sure! It’s interesting to note that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are reportedly interested in Rahul and Pant. In light of this, let’s evaluate who, if either of the two were to join RCB, would be a better fit.

Pant’s X-factor > KL Rahul’s anchorship more crucial for RCB?

KL Rahul is often criticised for his strike rate in the T20 format. He is not even in the scheme of the Indian team in the format and has time and again also been lambasted by fans and experts alike. Regardless, he oozes huge talent. With his elegance, temperament, and invaluable experience, Rahul has everything in him to shut down these critics. From 2018 to 2022, Rahul smashed 1275 runs, the most by an Indian in this period, at an average of 53.12 and at a strike rate of 146.38. He used to be a striking player in those days. However, since that period, Rahul has held himself back. He has lagged behind in the ever-evolving T20 format, as shown by his strike rate of 127.24 and an average of 36.09 since then.

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Does RCB really need KL Rahul?

Given KL Rahul’s current T20 style of play, one would feel he will provide those stabilising innings and not blitzkrieg that RCB might really want if they release skipper Faf du Plessis. Rahul at RCB might just cause a problem, as both he and Virat Kohli might not be ideal opening partners in a league that would continue to see the average first-innings total soar season by season. No doubt this opening duo will send the entire RCB fan base to go gaga, but it might not suit the franchise as a whole.

Virat Kohli	KL Rahul
Rank 36 (SR 136.48)	Rank 71 (SR 119.15)

As we can read above, both Kohli and Rahul are not the best trailblazers in powerplay overs. Both need their opening partners to take the attacking duties early on so that they can anchor the innings in their own manner. Hence, putting both Kohli and Rahul together might not be ideal. While it would be a homecoming for Rahul if he came back to RCB, the move could be risky for the franchise that is still seeking its maiden IPL title.

Rishabh Pant the perfect fit?

Now coming to Rishabh Pant, RCB fans should not rule out the possibility of seeing him in the red and gold next season. While he will definitely cost more than Rs 20 crore, his signing could be more beneficial. With Dinesh Karthik hanging up his boots, RCB desperately needs a middle-order batter who can attack regardless of match situation. And that is what Pant could bring in. He is fearless, innovative and a sure-shot entertainer, an ideal RCB player.

Pant’s presence in the middle order could provide the much-needed firepower and stability that RCB has often lacked. Furthermore, Pant’s wicket-keeping skills and long-term captaincy investment just add more value. Moreover, RCB are expected to release Glenn Maxwell ahead of IPL 2025 retentions. This means they will be desperately looking to fill up spots in the middle-order. A left-handed option after the likes of Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar could be perfectly suited for the Challengers.

KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant stats at M Chinnaswamy Stadium

Player	Innings	Runs	Average	SR
KL Rahul	14	382	34.7	137.9
Rishabh Pant	3	160	53.3	163.3