RCB IPL 2025 Player List: Did Royal Challengers Bangalore Make a Mistake in the Auction?

The IPL 2025 Mega Auction saw Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) making bold but questionable decisions that have left fans and analysts scratching their heads. Despite having a significant purse and opportunities to secure top-tier players, RCB's choices in the auction have sparked widespread criticism on social media.

Questionable Decisions in the Auction

RCB started their IPL 2025 auction campaign with surprising bids, raising eyebrows with some of their purchases. The franchise spent ₹12.5 crore on Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, ₹11.5 crore on England’s Phil Salt, and ₹8.75 crore on all-rounder Liam Livingstone.

Adding to the confusion, they shelled out a hefty ₹11 crore for wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma and brought in Rasik Dar for ₹6 crore and Suyash Sharma for ₹2.6 crore. Fans were quick to point out that many of these players lack the consistency required for a successful IPL campaign.

Missed Opportunities

RCB’s approach in the first two auction sets also came under fire. Top players were available, but the franchise seemed reluctant to make serious bids.

Questions arose when RCB chose not to pursue Mitchell Starc, known for his consistent and precise bowling. Similarly, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer—players with proven leadership skills and strong records—were ignored despite being available at competitive prices.

With ample funds in their kitty, RCB could have spent up to ₹20 crore on one marquee player. Instead, they opted for relatively unproven power hitters, bowlers prone to conceding runs, and an inexperienced wicketkeeper.

RCB’s Auction Buys

Here’s a breakdown of RCB’s purchases during the IPL 2025 auction:

Phil Salt - ₹11.5 crore

Jitesh Sharma - ₹11 crore

Liam Livingstone - ₹8.75 crore

Josh Hazlewood - ₹8.75 crore

Rasik Dar - ₹6 crore

Suyash Sharma - ₹2.6 crore

Players Retained by RCB

RCB had already retained key players ahead of the auction, including:

Virat Kohli - ₹21 crore

Rajat Patidar - ₹11 crore

Yash Dayal - ₹5 crore

Budget Overview

Before the auction, RCB had ₹90 crore to spend. The franchise allocated ₹37 crore for player retention and spent ₹52.35 crore during the auction, leaving them with just ₹0.65 crore to fill 16 more spots.

Fan Reactions

Fans have taken to social media to voice their frustration, questioning whether the RCB management has a clear strategy for building a balanced team. The failure to prioritize match-winners and experienced leaders has raised doubts about RCB’s prospects for IPL 2025.

As the season approaches, RCB will need to rely heavily on their retained players and hope their auction picks exceed expectations. Will their unconventional strategy pay off, or will it lead to another disappointing campaign? Only time will tell.