RCB IPL 2025 Squad Analysis: Will Virat Kohli's Awful IPL Curse End Under Rajat Patidar?

RCB in IPL 2024 [Source: iplt20.com]

Being one of the most followed teams in a tournament like the Indian Premier league comes with its own pros and cons. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru have commanded a huge fan base from the inception of the league and hence there have always been expectations around them.

Some of the biggest stars in world cricket like Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and Faf Du Plessis have donned the jersey of the franchise. However, the huge fanbase is due to the presence of Indian cricket's poster boy Virat Kohli. Despite having such big names, RCB is yet to win their maiden IPL title. So, let us look at their squad for IPL 2025 and analyse their chances for the tournament.

RCB IPL 2025 Full Squad

Batters: Rajat Patidar, Swastik Chikara, Tim David, Virat Kohli, Tim David, Devdutt Padikkal, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma
All-rounders: Jacob Bethell, Manoj Bhandage, Liam Livingstone, Mohit Rathee, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd
Bowlers: Abhinandan Singh, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lungi Ngidi, Rasikh Salam, Suyash Sharma, Swapnil Singh, Nuwan Thushara, Yash Dayal

Krunal Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will play along Virat Kohli in IPL 2025 [Source: @NviiiJ25409/x.com]

Strengths Of RCB For IPL 2025

1. Elite Top-Order Batting

Inference: The RCB has a powerful top order batting line-up. They have acquired Phil Salt during the IPL 2025 auction who is expected to open with Virat Kohli during the tournament. With Salt, Kohli and Patidar at the top, the RCB top order looks well sorted.

2. Variation In Bowling Line Up

Inference: The datas considered in the study are from IPL 2023 and IPL 2024. There was not decisive amount of data for Josh Hazlewood. However, we know him to be one of the best in the world in the initial stages of the game. So an overlook at the RCB squad gives us the idea that they have a bowling attack that covers most of the phases of the game. 

RCB's bowling effectiveness heat map [Source: OneCricket]

3. Presence Of Death Batting Specialists

Inference: Even though Virat Kohli is not a lower middle-order batter, he has done well as a batter in the death overs. Besides him in the squad that RCB have assimilated there seems to be good fire power in the death batting.

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Weaknesses Of RCB for IPL 2025

1. Middle-Order Bowling Vulnerability

Inference: When we look at the middle over bowling score of the RCB bowlers in the last two seasons, it gives us the idea that Krunal Pandya looks the best in the phase. Even though, there is an overall good coverage of bowlers in their squad, they seem to have a vulnerability when only the death phase is considered.

2. Inconsistent Bowling Economy Of Several Bowlers In last Couple Of Seasons

Inference: The economy rate of the bowlers present in the squad of RCB for IPL 2025 shows that most of them have leaked runs and this could be an area of concern for the team during the tournament.

Opportunities For RCB In IPL 2025

1. Young Talent with Growth Potential

Inference: In the RCB squad for IPL 2025, they have quite a few players who could develop and form a core part of the team in the future.

RCB age vs price vs experience bubble chart of players [Source: OneCricket]

2. Phase Specialists Can Be Deployed Strategically

Powerplay Specialists

Death Specialists

Inference: The RCB squad for IPL 2025 has some specialists in both batting and bowling. The management will have the opportunity to employ phase specialists during the tournament.

Threats For RCB In IPL 2025

1. Over-Reliance on Key Players

Inference: The RCB team might once again be haunted by the over reliance on players. How the team performs when the likes of Kohli, Salt and Kumar underperform will be a key to theur success this year. 

2. Formation Of A New Squad

Notably, RCB retained only three players ahead of IPL 2025. This means that they will have too many players and some in key roles who need top adapt themselves to the franchise culture and gel with the team to bring out their best. The issue with the team composition could be a issue for RCB during the tournament.

X-Factor Player: Liam Livingstone

Liam Livingstone in RCB practice [Source: @imkevin149/x.com]

Here are few reasons why Liam Livingstone will be the X-factor player for RCB in IPL 2025 - 

• Phase Versatility - One of few players with significant batting scores across all phases (Powerplay: 42, Middle: 61, Death: 69) while also contributing with bowling in middle overs (45).
• Impact Multiplier - His ability to accelerate scoring (151.75 strike rate) while also providing bowling options gives RCB tactical flexibility that most other players cannot offer.
• Match-up Advantage - As a right-handed power hitter who can bowl off-spin, he provides critical options against opposition left-handers on spin-friendly tracks, addressing one of RCB's potential weaknesses.

Situation Specific Playing XIs

Starting XI

Virat Kohli - Experienced opener, anchor
Phil Salt ✈️ (wk) - Aggressive opener
Rajat Patidar - Dynamic middle order batter, Captain
Liam Livingstone ✈️ - Middle over aggressor and spin option
Tim David ✈️ - Powerpacked finisher
Jitesh Sharma - Finishing batter
Krunal Pandya - Spin bowling all-rounder
Bhuvneshwar Kumar - Versatile pace bowler
Yash Dayal - Death over specialist
Josh Hazlewood ✈️ - Powerplay specialist
Suyash Sharma - Spinner

Impact Player: Swapnil Singh

Strategic Logic: After batting is complete, Swapnil Singh would replace a pure batsman like Jitesh Sharma to add an extra bowling option when defending the total.

Starting XI

Virat Kohli - Experienced opener, anchor
Phil Salt ✈️ (wk) - Aggressive opener
Devdutt Padikkal - Top order batter, steady batter
Rajat Patidar - Dynamic middle order batter, Captain
Liam Livingstone ✈️ - Middle over aggressor and spin option
Tim David ✈️ - Powerful finisher
Krunal Pandya - Spin bowling all-rounder
Bhuvneshwar Kumar - Versatile pace bowler
Yash Dayal - Death over specialist
Josh Hazleood ✈️ - Powerplay pacer
Suyash Sharma - Spinner

Impact Player: Jitesh Sharma

Strategic Logic:  When chasing, Jitesh Sharma would come in to add depth to the batting. Jitesh Sharma would replace one of the bowlers (likely Suyash Sharma)/ 

RCB 2025 Season Prediction

Based on the detailed analysis of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's squad composition and player metrics from the IPL 2025 data, here's a practical prediction for their upcoming season:

Season Outlook: RCB's 2025 squad presents a mix of established stars and new acquisitions with specific phase specialisations. Their performance potential can be assessed as follows:

Projected Performance Indicators

• Batting Strength: Elite top-order (Kohli, Salt) with good middle-order options
• Bowling Balance: Strong in powerplay and death, but potentially vulnerable in middle overs
• All-round Depth: Limited proven all-rounders who excel in both disciplines
• Experience Factor: Heavy reliance on a few veterans with several untested players

Match-Up Predictions

Strong Against: Teams with weaker death bowling (RCB's finishing power is significant)

Vulnerable Against: Teams with quality spin attacks that can dominate middle overs

Home Advantage: Likely to secure 4-5 wins at Chinnaswamy Stadium where batting strength can be maximised

Season Prediction

Projected Finish: 5th-6th place

RCB appears positioned to be a solid playoff contender but may fall just short of the top four due to:

Consistency Challenges: Heavy dependence on Kohli, Salt and Bhuvneshwar may lead to performance fluctuations if these key players have off days

Bowling Depth Concerns: Middle overs bowling beyond Krunal Pandya lacks proven performers at the IPL level

New Team Integration: With 86% of the squad being new acquisitions, team chemistry will take time to develop

Win-Loss Projection: 6-7 wins from 14 matches, with stronger performance in the second half of the tournament as team combinations stabilise

RCB has assembled a squad with clear strengths in batting power and specific bowling phases, but lacks the overall balance and depth seen in recent IPL champions. They should remain competitive throughout the season and will likely be in playoff contention until the final matches, but may ultimately finish just outside the top four unless their middle-order batting and middle-overs bowling exceed expectations.

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