3 Costliest Buys For RCB In IPL Auction History

3 Costliest Buy For RCB In IPL Auction History [Source: @Sobuujj/X.com]3 Costliest Buy For RCB In IPL Auction History [Source: @Sobuujj/X.com]

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) enjoys the support of one of the most passionate fan bases across IPL, even though they have never won a title in 18 years of IPL's existence. Regardless, every year, RCB somehow manages to grab headlines with unique auction buys.

Virat Kohli has been associated with RCB since 2008 and he was picked in the draft system, meaning, Kohli never went under the hammer. However, to build a team around him, RCB often went above and beyond for certain players on the auction table. However, the majority of their choices proved to be weak as RCB never looked competitive except for a couple of seasons. 

Meanwhile, ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, let's revisit some of the most costliest buys picked by RCB in IPL auction history.

3. Yuvraj Singh: INR 14 crore (2014)

3. Yuvraj Singh: INR 14 crore (2014) [Source: @RCBTweets/X.com]3. Yuvraj Singh: INR 14 crore (2014) [Source: @RCBTweets/X.com]

India's most successful all-rounder, Yuvraj Singh, was making a comeback into IPL after his inspiring battle with cancer as he registered his name for the IPL 2014 auction. Meanwhile, KKR initially showed tremendous interest for Yuvraj, but RCB were relentless and raised the bid all the way to INR 14 crores, making him the most costliest pick of that year's auction. 

But Yuvraj, in return, fulfilled all the expectations with 376 runs scored in IPL 2024. However, his limitations in the field and growing age saw RCB go their separate ways and release him in the IPL 2015 mega auction. Thus, Yuvraj's buy was majorly a disappointment as he played only for 1 season.

2. Glenn Maxwell: INR 14.25 crore (2021)

2. Glenn Maxwell: INR 14.25 crore (2021) [Source: @RcbianOfficial]2. Glenn Maxwell: INR 14.25 crore (2021) [Source: @RcbianOfficial]

In the IPL 2021 auction, RCB once again grabbed headlines by going all in for seasoned Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. Maxwell was a hot pick right from the start as KKR, DC, and RR entered a chaotic bidding battle. 

However, RCB, with a significant purse amount, were persistent and cashed out as much as INR 14.5 crore to buy Maxwell's services. Meanwhile, RCB's whopping investment in Maxwell did yield significant results as the all-rounder scored 513 runs in 15 games that year and also stayed as a core player for a couple of more seasons.

1. Kyle Jamieson: INR 15 crore (2021)

1. Kyle Jamieson: INR 15 crore (2021) [Source: @IPL/X.com]1. Kyle Jamieson: INR 15 crore (2021) [Source: @IPL/X.com]

On the same auction table in 2021, RCB cashed out INR 15 crores off their already depleted purse to buy New Zealand all-rounder Kyle Jamieson, as he remains the franchise's most costliest action buy till date. Jamieson was just finding his footing in international cricket, and RCB's blind trust in him raised many eyebrows. 

Jamieson turned out to be a disaster as he scored just 65 runs in IPL 2021 and picked 9 wickets across 9 games for RCB. He was released immediately in the following season as RCB once again had to restructure the squad.

Now, in the IPL 2025 mega auction, RCB is once again rebuilding from scratch and will hopefully aim to avoid past auction mishaps.