“What goes around comes around” is a popular proverb and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have their own way of feeling it. They spread their slogan, “E Saala Cup Namde” across the country but then see it come back around season after season. Alongside the likes of Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), RCB are indeed one of the most underperformed teams.
Much like most of the times, they have once again looked to rejig the squad, retaining just three players. Virat Kohli, of course, is the top pick for a whopping ₹21 crore, making him the costliest Indian at the IPL 2025 retention. RCB have also showed confidence on Rajat Patidar (₹11 crore) and Yash Dayal (₹5 crore), leaving them with three Right to Match (RTM) Card
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL 2025 Retentions
| Player | Price (Crores) (INR) | Capped/Uncapped |
|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 21.00 | Capped |
| Rajat Patidar | 11.00 | Capped |
| Yash Dayal | 5.00 | Capped |
With just three retentions, RCB have allowed themselves to have a whopping IPL 2025 Auction purse of ₹83 crore, which is the second biggest after PBKS (₹110.50cr). With this, they can go and hunt big names at the auction, but who will RCB pick for their RTM cards? The Red and Gold brigade have three RTMs left with them. After retaining Yash Dayal, they don’t even have any obligation to pick up uncapped player. Will the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) exercise their three Right To Match (RTM) cards and try to lure their young guns back? Well, we know as much as you do but still Insidesport has tried to analyze who could be RCB’s RTM card options.
What is RTM card in IPL 2025?
The Right to Match (RTM) card gives teams a chance to reacquire their players by matching the highest bid placed on them during the auction. For instance, if the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) aim to bring Mohammed Siraj back, they can use their RTM card, enabling them to equal the top bid and secure his services.
However, there’s a catch here. According to the updated RTM rule, any franchise bidding on a player can continue raising their offer even after an RTM card is used. If the original team with the RTM card is willing to match the increased bid, the player will return to his former franchise.
RTM card for RCB: Mohammed Siraj is a must
Okay, let’s get straight to the point. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) absolutely must bring Mohammed Siraj back to their team, and using their Right to Match (RTM) card is the way to do it. While he may not be a Jasprit Bumrah of their team, Siraj has not done anything majorly wrong to be moved on by RCB. First, let’s talk about what Siraj means to RCB’s bowling at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Anyone who’s watched cricket there knows it’s a nightmare for bowlers – small boundaries, a flat pitch, and huge scores that make bowlers want to quit.
But Siraj? He’s figured it out. He’s taken 26 wickets in just 79 overs in 21 innings at this ground. That’s not just good, it’s incredible. Moreover, his economy rate at the venue isn’t touching nine runs per over either, despite many presume Siraj of being the one to leak many runs. While other bowlers struggle and their economy rates skyrocket at the Chinnaswamy, Siraj has done well here.
Then there’s the death bowling – RCB’s eternal achilles heel. Last season, Siraj was a revelation at the death, maintaining an economy of 8.92. Only Bumrah did better. At a ground where even 220 isn’t safe, having a death bowler who can keep it under 9 is like finding gold in your backyard. Being one of the senior local pacers, Siraj is expected to attract bids from multiple franchises. But RCB, with ₹83 crore in their bank, have that purse to bring back a bowler who has a great fan base in Bengaluru.
More on IPL 2025
RTM card for RCB: Will Jacks & Akash Deep could be shrewd moves
Two more RTM picks that should be ideal for RCB are Will Jacks and Akash Deep. Talking about Jacks, he is a proper English hard-hitting batter. The hard-hitting batter can not only do same damage as what Faf du Plessis did but can even roll his arm over. With his experience of playing all over the world, Jacks can form a threatening opening partnership with Virat Kohli. After 43 T20s, Jacks has made 1,044 runs at an immaculate strike rate of 162.87 so far this year.
For RCB, Jacks was even more impressive too. Across eight games, he made 230 runs at an average of 32.86 and at a SR of 175.57, including a hundred. At 25 years of age, Jacks could be an ideal buy back option for RCB.
Apart from this, Akash Deep should be picked as well. He is roaring high on confidence after breaking into the Indian Test team. He has always put an impetus with his bowling, having taken 10 wickets in just 8 Test innings. For RCB, he hasn’t done extremely well but Akash Deep has all the potential to be a vital cog in their bowling line-up. Across 41 innings, he has 48 at an economy rate of 7.68.
What about Cameron Green?
It was expected that RCB would retain Cameron Green. However, his spinal surgery ruled him out of action for six months, also forcing him to miss the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In the same vein, Green was released by RCB. It is all but confirmed that he won’t be able to play the IPL 2025, leaving further uncertainty over his participation in the auction. If his part of the IPL auction, RCB should try to get him back. With his surgery in mind, Green is expected to not garner huge interest like he did during the IPL 2023 auction. Hence, getting Green back at a cheaper price could be gold for RCB as the mighty Australian could also be a future captaincy option and is already one of the best all-rounders across formats.\
Which players should RCB use RTM on?
- Cameron Green, Mohammed Siraj, Will Jacks, Akash Deep
Released players by RCB before IPL 2025 auction
Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Anuj Rawat, Suyash Prabhudessai, Will Jacks, Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Manoj Bhandage, Mayank Dagar, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Rajan Kumar, Cameron Green, Alzarri Joseph, Tom Curran, Lockie Ferguson, Swapnil Singh, Saurav Chauhan
