3 Key Reasons Why RCB Decided To Rope In Tim Seifert For IPL 2025 Playoffs

Anurag Dasgupta

Why RCB bought Tim Seifert [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com] Why RCB bought Tim Seifert [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]

This Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season has witnessed the Royal Challengers Bengaluru invest in match-winners rather than going for big names and they once again proved it by going after Kiwi batter, Tim Seifert to replace the outgoing Jacob Bethell for the IPL 2025 playoffs.

The New Zealander was bought for INR 2 crore and could get a chance in the playing XI in the playoffs, which begin next month. It could be a game-changing move and here's why buying him was a smart choice.

1) Excellent track record in recent days

Over the last few seasons, Seifert has developed into one of the best T20 batters going around and has impeccable record which makes him a force to reckon in the game's shortest format. In the recent T20I series against Pakistan, the aggressive batter showed his class and sinked the Men in Green.

Criterion
Data
Matches5
Runs249
Strike-rate207.50
50s1

(Seifert Vs Pakistan)

As the stats suggests, in recent matches, he has been in excellent touch and will come into the IPL playoffs on the back of a stellar run of form.

2) Flexible with his batting approach

Normally, Seifert opens the batting for New Zealand, but at the same time, the Kiwi star can also bat at number 3, offering his services in two different batting positions. Apart from Virat Kohli, Phil Salt opens for RCB, but the Englishman was suffering from fever before IPL suspension.

If he is not match fit, Seifert can open the innings. At the same time, if needed, the hard-hitting batter can also play at 3, providing a different dimension.

3) Excellent player of spin

The reason Jacob Bethell was in the RCB squad was partially due to his ability to go hard against spin bowling. This is something which Seifert also provides and apart from pacers, he is an excellent hitter of spin bowling as well.

Criterion
Data
Matches46
Runs572
Balls410
Strike-rate139.5

(Seifert stats Vs spinners in T20Is)

In 46 matches against variety of spinners, Seifert strikes at nearly 140 and he perfectly fits in the bill as RCB needed someone who was not only quality against pace bowlers, but also a brilliant player Vs spin.