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IPL 2025: Rishabh Pant Or KL Rahul? RCB To Target These 3 Marquee Players In Mega Auction

Anurag Dasgupta

RCB will target Pant [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.Com]RCB will target Pant [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.Com]

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The IPL 2025 mega auction is just a week away as the excitement level has increased. On Friday, the IPL governing body released the final list of players shortlisted for the mega auction. Initially, there were 1574 players, but it has been trimmed down to 574 as the players will go under the hammer on November 24, 25.

This year, there will be two sets of marquee players with a base price of INR 2 crore. A total of 12 such players will go under the hammer as teams look to build a strong core for the upcoming IPL season. 

So, with the auction coming up, we focus on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and see which players they need the most from the list.

Rishabh Pant

Why RCB will target Pant?

  • The team needs a keeper and a captain and no better choice than Rishabh Pant for this role. He has the captaincy experience which is useful for RCB. He'll certainly be an expensive player during the auction, but RCB will surely try and get his services.
  • The finisher RCB need: After Dinesh Karthik's departure, the team also needs a finisher. In the past, Pant has done that role to perfection for India and Delhi Capitals and could be deployed in that role if needed.

Liam Livingstone

Why RCB will target Livingstone?

  • With Glenn Maxwell released, RCB need a like-to-like replacement for him. He can bat, he can bowl and is also an excellent fielder, similar to Maxwell. Teams often try and replace their best players with others having a similar trait and that is why RCB will go after Livingstone
  • He won't be that expensive. In the last few seasons. Livingstone has always shown the potential, but hasn't lived up to the hype. Hence, RCB, if they are smart enough can make the Englishman the steal of the auction.
  • A finisher which RCB always craved for. Again, with Dinesh Karthik gone, RCB need a powerhouse finisher to take their game to another level. Plus, Livingstone will enjoy batting at the smaller grounds like Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Mitchell Starc

Why should RCB buy Starc?

  • RCB have two quality left-armers to target - Arshdeep Singh and Starc, but looking at Arshdeep's latest T20I performances, he'll certainly be an expensive buy. Hence, RCB should focus more on Starc, who'll certainly be less cheaper than Arshdeep and will solve their bowling woes.
  • He knows the Chinnaswamy Stadium and the team on the back of his hands. Starc previously played for two seasons and was instrumental for them. RCB knows his value and they should go after him.
  • Starc is a big match player and it was evident last season when he helped KKR win the title. RCB, barring a couple of players don't really have a big match player and Starc could be the one to turn their fortunes in the upcoming season.