IPL 2025 Auction: RCB vs KKR - Who Has Better Overseas Buys?

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Josh Hazlewood and Quinton de Kock [Source: @Itsmonk_45, @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]Josh Hazlewood and Quinton de Kock [Source: @Itsmonk_45, @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]

The rivalry between RCB and KKR have been a fierce one in IPL. While KKR has performed well over the years and have three trophies under their belt, RCB have boasted of a strong supporter base. 

During the IPL 2025 auction, both RCB and KKR did a great job. They have tried to fill up most of their targeted spots and one can say that they have walked away from the grand event satisfied about how they have performed.

In this article, we will look at the overseas recruitments of the two teams and try to analyse who did better in this case - 

RCB vs KKR Overseas Recruits: General Overview

Categories
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Kolkata Knight Riders
Total Number Of Players88
Money SpentINR 42.05 Cr
INR 42.40 Cr
Average Spent Per PlayerINR 5.25 CrINR 5.30 Cr
Overseas Batters1
3
Overseas All-rounders4
2
Overseas Bowlers33

RCB vs KKR Overseas Recruits: Utility and Depth

Batters

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Phil Salt is the only overseas batter recruit of the RCB. After releasing Faf du Plessis, they needed a solid opener at the top and they bought in Phil Salt as his replacement. When we look from the angle of filling targeted spot, RCB have done well.

Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR released Phil Salt and hence they needed to either buy him back or get a player in his place. So, they bought Quinton de Kock. The second batter in their list was Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The Afghan batter is a replacement for QDK. The third name is the list is Rovman Powell, who with his ability to bowl a bit is a replacement for Andre Russell. 

Conclusion

If we look at the target filling and the depth of the overseas players, KKR seems to have done better than their rivals Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

All-rounders

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

RCB have gone ahead and bought four overseas all-rounders in - Liam Livingstone, Tim David, Romario Shephered and Jacob Bethell. Bengaluru were in search of players who could bat in their middle-order and play the role of finishers. While they have got plenty of players for the role, they have also filled players for the substitutes. 

Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR have two overseas all-rounders in their sqaud - Moeen Ali and Andre Russell. While Russell has been their trusted soldier, Moeen Ali will add good value to the team. The two all-rounders seem to serve the purpose of the team as they can use either of them as per the playing conditions and demands of the match.

Conclusion

When it comes to overall approach while recruiting their overseas all-rounders, Royal Challengers Bengaluru seem to have done a better job. But as far as targeted utility players are concerned KKR seems to be ahead in this case.

Bowlers

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

The three overseas bowlers of RCB are Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara and Lungi Ngidi. It was evident that RCB had the approach of enriching their bowling department in the IPL 2025 auction. They have done brilliantly in this case as they have got a new ball bowler in Hazlewood and a death over expert in Nuwan Thushara. Besides Lungi Ngidi looks like a decent substitute for either of the overseas bowlers. 

Kolkata Knight Riders

The two overseas bowlers of KKR are - Sunil Narine, Anrich Nortje and Spencer Johnson. Sunil Narine has been long time warrior for the Knights and besides being an effective bowler he can also contribute with bat at the top of the order. Besides Spencer Johnson and Anrich Nortje will be fill up their quota of a quality pacer in the playing unit. Thus it looks like they have done well in recruiting their overseas bowlers.

Conclusion

Keeping in mind the home condition of the two teams and the players they needed before the auction, it seems that both the team have done similarly when it comes to recruiting their overseas bowlers.

RCB vs KKR Overseas Recruits: Who Did Better?

If we look at the overall recruitment of the two teams, then both the sides have done a good job. Even when we look at the amounts spent for the overseas players, both are very near. However, looking at the quality of overseas players and their track record in the league, we can say that KKR has tipped their rivals in this case.