The IPL 2025 Mega Auction, held in Jeddah on November 24 and 25, has already witnessed high-profile purchases and strategic decisions by the franchises.
On the first day, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made significant moves, spending heavily on international stars while retaining a sizeable purse of ₹30.65 crore for the subsequent rounds.
RCB’s Major Purchase on Day 1
RCB made a splash in the auction, securing six players, including Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood and England opener Phil Salt, for significant amounts.
The detailed breakdown of their purchases is as follows:
| Player | Role | Price (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Hazlewood | Pacer | 12.50 |
| Phil Salt | Opener | 11.50 |
| Liam Livingstone | All-Rounder | 8.75 |
| Jitesh Sharma | Wicketkeeper-Batter | 11.00 |
| Rasikh Dar | Bowler | 6.00 |
| Suyash Sharma | Spinner | 2.60 |
After Day 1, RCB retained a strong financial position, with ₹30.65 crore left in their auction purse.
Expert Opinions: Uthappa and Morgan Critique RCB’s Strategy
Despite their spending spree, RCB’s auction strategy drew sharp criticism from cricketing experts Robin Uthappa and Eoin Morgan during a discussion on JioCinema.
Robin Uthappa’s Take:
As a former RCB player and local favorite, Uthappa expressed disappointment with the franchise’s approach:
“I’m a local boy, and I’m confused. You’ve only made one pick in the first two marquee sets. When rebuilding a team, especially one with such loyal fans, you need a clear direction. The fans invest so much emotionally, and I feel let down for them.”
He also questioned the team’s reluctance to bid for big names like Mitchell Starc and KL Rahul or versatile players like Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer.
“With the available purse, RCB could have secured one of these marquee players. Instead, they’ve missed key opportunities, leaving fans disappointed,” Uthappa added.
Eoin Morgan’s Perspective
Morgan echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for marquee players to strengthen the squad. He stressed the importance of creating a balanced team that can handle the pressures of the league.
IPL 2025 Mega Auction Players List
Here’s how the RCB IPL 2025 squad looks after the first day of the auction:
| Player | Role | Price (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | Batsman (Retained) | 21 |
| Rajat Patidar | Batsman (Retained) | 11 |
| Yash Dayal | Bowler (Retained) | 5 |
| Liam Livingstone | All-Rounder | 8.75 |
| Phil Salt | Opener | 11.5 |
| Jitesh Sharma | Wicketkeeper-Batter | 11 |
| Josh Hazlewood | Pacer | 12.5 |
| Rasikh Dar | Bowler | 6 |
| Suyash Sharma | Spinner | 2.6 |
Squad Status
- RTM (Right to Match) Cards Left: 3
- Player Slots Remaining: 16
- Overseas Player Slots Available: 5
RCB’s Auction Strategy: A Closer Look
RCB’s auction strategy focused heavily on acquiring key international players, particularly bowlers and all-rounders. However, their decision to refrain from targeting marquee Indian players like KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant and even Mohd Siraj has raised questions about their long-term vision and faith in their players.
With ₹30.65 crore still in hand, RCB is expected to make significant moves on Day 2, targeting domestic talents and filling critical gaps in their lineup.
Will RCB Deliver in IPL 2025?
As RCB fans eagerly await the upcoming season, the franchise’s auction decisions will likely be scrutinized further.
With star players like Virat Kohli leading the squad, the team’s performance in IPL 2025 will depend on how well they balance their squad during the remaining rounds of the auction.
