3 Big Stars Absent; RCB Will Miss These Players From 2024 Squad In IPL 2025

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis for RCB in IPL 2024 [Source: @Trend_VKohli/x.com]Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis for RCB in IPL 2024 [Source: @Trend_VKohli/x.com]

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The Royal Challengers Bengaluru command one  of the largest fans bases in the IPL. The fans have followed this franchise and set example of loyalty, despite the team not winning a title yet. 

Ahead of IPL 2025, all the teams had to reform their squad ahead of the tournament. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru gave their best to accumulate the best unit for the next edition of the tournament. Comparing their performance from the last season, let us look at three players who they might miss from the previous season.

3. Will Jacks

The English all-rounder was integral part of the RCB team in the IPL 2024 campaign, but this year he will be donning the MI jersey. Will Jacks scored 230 runs in eight matches at an average of 32.86 and a strike rate 175.57. The English all-rounder also had a century and a half-century under his belt during the tournament.

Will Jacks For RCB [Source: @ShubhamYad50/x.com]Will Jacks For RCB [Source: @ShubhamYad50/x.com]

Even though they used very little of his bowling abilities, Jacks' batting was enough to script the dramatic turn around for the team. During the second half of the tournament, Jacks batted in the top order and played some game-changing knocks giving RCB the leverage in some of the most crucial games in their campaign.

RCB might miss the dynamism Will Jacks was providing for them at the top of the order. His ability to come and increase the scoring rate of the team considerably could have helped RCB in IPL 2025.

2. Faf du Plessis

The South African superstar was leading the team during the IPL 2024. However, they released him ahead of IPL 2025 auction and DC bought him during the event.  Besides being a tactically sound leader, Faf du Plessis made some valuable contributions at the top of the order.

In the last three seasons, the partnership between Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli played a crucial role in providing the platform for the Royal Challengers in most of the games. The South African star played 45 matches for the franchise and scored 1,636 runs at an average of 38.05 and a strike rate of 146.99. 

During IPL 2025, RCB will have to look for a new partner with Virat Kohli. As it seems from the squad, RCB might ask Phil Salt to open with Kohli. While Salt is an explosive batter, the lack of consistency on his part could be a concern for the team. The stability and consistency that Faf du Plessis provided at the top of the order for RCB is something that they might miss this year. 

1. Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell was a part of the RCB set from IPL 2021 to 2024. Ahead of IPL 2025 auction, he was not retained and Punjab Kings bought him. 

Glenn Maxwell for RCB [Source: @imkevin149/x.com]Glenn Maxwell for RCB [Source: @imkevin149/x.com]

If we consider IPL 2024 season of Glenn Maxwell, then we would see that he did terribly for them. However, in the first three seasons with RCB, Maxwell did a great job. He scored runs picked up crucial wicket and helped them turn around many games. 

The primer Aussie star will not be a part of the RCB set up in IPL 2025. In his absence, RCB might miss a middle-over accelerator and a bowler who could break partnerships in the middle-phases.