IPL 2025: Should RCB Release The Out-Of-Form Will Jacks Ahead Of Mega Auction?

Will Jacks has been an asset for RCB in the IPL [X]Will Jacks has been an asset for RCB in the IPL [X]

England's destructive batter Will Jacks sustained his rough patch, recording a low score with the bat in the second One-Day International of the ongoing five-match series against Australia. Coming at number three for England, Jacks departed without troubling the scorers, as Aussie spearhead Mitchell Starc got his prized scalp in the high-voltage encounter. 

After Alex Carey's sensational finishing touch ensured a competitive total for Australia, England hoped for a Will Jacks masterclass in front of a packed Headingley crowd. However, the talented top-order batter let the hosts down, being dismissed for a golden duck off Starc's lethal wobbled-seam delivery. 

Will Jacks' Poor Form And Its Adverse Effect On His IPL Future

Criterion
Data
Matches18
Runs318
Average17.67
Scores of below 10 runs10

(Will Jacks in the shortest format since T20 World Cup 2024)

Recently, Will Jacks has struggled to get going in international cricket. Despite being a gifted batter, the Englishman has found it challenging to play significant knocks in the shortest format since the 2024 T20 World Cup. 

The aforementioned stats signify the abysmal form of Will Jacks in T20s since the World Cup in the Caribbean. The flamboyant English batter has managed a solitary half-century in 18 innings, adding ten single-digit scores to his tally during this period. 

Given he emerged as one of the hottest candidates for retention following his exploits in IPL 2024, Royal Challengers Bengaluru must be aware of his poor form as they begin to finalise their retained players' list. In such a scenario, the batter's horrendous form might cost him his place in the RCB camp and lead to his release to the mega auction pool. 

Should RCB Release Will Jacks Based On His Batting Form?

However, despite Will Jacks's poor batting form, RCB shouldn't release the English batter for several reasons, as mentioned below. 

Will Jacks' Aggressive Mindset Is A Boon For RCB

Although Will Jacks hasn't piled up a lot of runs since the T20 World Cup, he has struck at an incredible rate of 147.23. This fact suggests that, despite failing, he hasn't changed his aggressive mindset, which has worked wonders for him in white-ball cricket. He clearly understands his role as an aggressor at the top order, and his ability to tear apart the opposition can be a boon for RCB on Bengaluru's flat batting deck. 

Will Jacks: A Proven Performer For RCB

Criterion
Data
Innings8
Runs230
Average32.86
Strike Rate175.57

Besides his mindset, what goes in favour of Jacks is his performance for the Bengaluru-based franchise. In eight innings, he hammered 230 runs, including a blistering hundred, at a strike rate of 175.57 in the IPL this year. So, RCB should think twice before letting one of their proven performers enter the mega auction pool, where several teams would be keen to secure his service. 

Who Should RCB Retain If Not Will Jacks?

Regarding RCB, the perennial underachievers will likely release Faf du Plessis into the mega auction pool due to his age and recent form. The veteran South African's opening pair with Virat Kohli can certainly be kept quiet by modern-day spinners, and, therefore, RCB should assign the role to someone who can go berserk against any kind of bowling right from the word go. 

Besides the Proteas great, RCB might also release Glenn Maxwell, who had a disastrous IPL 2024 following three successful seasons. Thus, practically, they don't have too many quality options to choose from. So, the RCB think tank should retain Jacks and pair him up with Virat Kohli to form a formidable top order.