3 Potential RCB Debutants Who Can Be Match-Winners Against MI In IPL 2025

Debashis Sarangi

RCB players in action [Source: IPLT20.com]RCB players in action [Source: IPLT20.com]

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IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru made some bold changes to their squad for the 2025 season of the tournament. While the perennial underachievers released the likes of Glenn Maxwell and Mohammed Siraj, several match-winners grabbed lucrative deals with the Bengaluru-based franchise in the mega auction last year. 

So, as RCB have finalised their squad for the marquee event, here are three potential debutants from their team who can be serious threats to Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025. 

1. Phil Salt

  • England's swashbuckling batter Phil Salt was impressive for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2024. In twelve innings, Salt belted 435 runs at a superb average of 39.55 and a blistering strike rate of 182.01. 
  • The English cricketer was RCB's one of the costliest buys in last year's mega auction, as the franchise secured his services for a whopping amount of INR 11.50 Crores. He loves batting on pitches with true pace and bounce. So, he could be a serious threat to Mumbai Indians in Wankhede and Bengaluru, India's two most batting-friendly decks. 
  • If Salt survives the new ball spells of Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah, he can ensure a forgettable day for the MI bowlers in the IPL 2025. 

2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

  • India's experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar will spearhead RCB's bowling attack in the IPL 2025. Hailed for his ability to make the new ball talk, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has bagged 181 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls in the IPL. 
  • Bhuvneshwar has an impressive record against Mumbai Indians, scalping 22 wickets at a superb economy of 6.85. The pitch at Wankhede Stadium tends to offer a hint of assistance to the new ball bowlers.
  • So, if Bhuvneshwar generates swing and seam movement, he can rattle MI's top order comprising Rohit Sharma, Will Jacks and Ryan Rickelton, players who have some evident flaws against the moving ball. 

3. Romario Shepherd

  • West Indies' premier all-rounder Romario Shepherd will be one of the key players for RCB in the IPL 2025. Besides playing explosive cameos down the order, Shepherd can be a useful bowling option for the franchise in the middle and death overs. 
  • Romario Shepherd is a clean striker of the ball and if he plays out Jasprit Bumrah's spell, he can capitalise on Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar and Hardik Pandya's medium pace bowling in the slog overs. 
  • Apart from that, Romario must be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of MI's core players, having played with them in the IPL. So, his insights could be valuable for RCB when they will face MI in the IPL 2025.