How Many More Players Can RCB Buy At The IPL 2025 Auction?

Akshita Patel

A critical mega auction awaits for RCB [Source: @nidhiambedkar/X.com]A critical mega auction awaits for RCB [Source: @nidhiambedkar/X.com]

With just a week left for the IPL 2025 mega auction, IPL teams, including Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), are finalising strategy and shortlisting desired players to target. RCB’s shopping list will be substantial given the remaining purse they possess.

RCB Retention List & Remaining Purse

Players
Retention No.
Salary
Virat Kohli1INR 21 crore
Rajat Patidar2INR 11 crore
Yash Dayal
UncappedINR 5 crore

Money Spent: INR 37 crores
Remaining Purse: INR 83 crores

For those unversed, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) retained as many as 3 players at the retention deadline. Virat Kohli, the 18-year veteran, was a no-brainer choice as the first retention. Meanwhile, instead of experienced capped players, RCB put faith in Rajat Patidar and Yash Dayal to finalise just 3 retention out of the 6 slots available. 

Hence, heading into the IPL 2025 mega auction, RCB can use 3 RTM cards to buy back players they released at the retention deadline. For 3 retentions, RCB spent a total of INR 37 crores out of the maximum purse of INR 120 crore. Hence, for the mega auction, RCB will enter with INR 83 crores in their kitty.

How Many Players Can RCB Buy?

The maximum squad capacity for IPL 2025 season is set at 25 players, with 18 players in the minimum cap. Meaning, RCB can buy as many as 22 players at the mega auction table. However, the team management can even settle for a couple of less players if the budget does not allow it. Any IPL team, including RCB, won’t be allowed to exceed the cap of INR 120 crore for total expenditure. 

Who Should Be On RCB's Target List?

RCB’s key strategy will be to secure a notable marquee player who can lead the side since they parted ways with Faf du Plessis. KL Rahul is an ideal candidate, given his past experience with the team and local connection with the people of Karnataka. 

Besides, RCB can use RTM cards for Mohammad Siraj, Glenn Maxwell and Will Jacks. Siraj spearheaded the pace attack for a couple of years and his experience is crucial for RCB. Maxwell’s all-round skills in shorter format is unmatched whereas Jacks brings stability in middle-order.

Apart from this, RCB also needs proven finishers and spinners to manage the flow of runs at the Chinnaswamy ground. Chahal, Sundar and Sam Curran are suitable options that fit into RCB’s financial capacity.

On the other hand, RCB must focus more on quality Indian talent since 14-16 slots are reserved for local talent in IPL. This is the department where RCB has flunked for years, and history should not repeat itself in IPL 2025 mega auction if they want to get it right after going trophy-less in the last 18 years.