RCB Retained Players List 2025 | IPL Auction Strategy Explained

Virat Kohli once again the first-choice player as we look at the RCB retained players list 2025 and the full Royal Challengers Bengaluru strategy.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (The then Royal Challengers Bangalore). Whenever I hear this name in the Indian Premier League context, I see a team that is devoid of any trophy so far, but a franchise that has been continuously raking in profits year-on-year. The IPL model business model and the fan following of RCB have already garnered such heavy traction that the franchise gets good business without worrying about where they end up in the points table.

If we recall the performance of RCB in IPL 2024, they were able to qualify for the Qualifiers, but couldn’t proceed beyond that. The RCB team had a great batting lineup as they usually have, but it was their bowling that let them down once again. But that’s not the first time they are in such a situation. The team has always been a batting-friendly giant, but bowlers are more of fillers in the side.

With the team approaching IPL 2025, will they adopt the same strategy of being a batting-centric team? Well, we will have to see about that, but before that, the team has to prepare for the Mega Auction, and there are some big calls that they will have to make. So, as we wait for the official announcement from the franchise, let’s in the meantime analyze the current squad, and explore the best possible retained players list scenarios for RCB for IPL 2025. 

IPL 2025 RCB Retained Players List – Royal Challengers Bengaluru Strategy Explained

1st Scenario – 4 Players Retained

If we talk about the best four players in the current RCB squad that are most-likely to get retained, it has got to be Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Siraj, and Faf du Plessis. Now, Virat Kohli is a straight-up choice with no debate surrounding his retention. Similarly, Mohammed Siraj has been a performer and the leader of the pace attack for them, so he is also a straightforward choice when it comes to retaining players. 

But if we talk about Glenn Maxwell or Faf du Plessis, there will be some discussions surrounding their retention, and the price at which these two players are retained. Now, Faf du Plessis will be turning 41 next year, but there aren’t any fitness or form issues with their current skipper. While Faf’s current retention price could be questionable, RCB would like to give him one more year, and then take a call further on his retention for IPL 2026. 

Coming to Glenn Maxwell, the Australian has had a poor show in IPL 2024 amassing just 52 runs from 10 innings. That was Maxwell’s worst performance in the IPL surpassing his previous worst of 145 runs in 2015. But that’s how Maxwell has been. He has been a hit-or-miss player, and that mostly he gives hits more than misses. There is once again no question about quality. It is definitely there. Thus, RCB would want to forget the past, and invest in Maxwell for one more time.  

ALSO READ: IPL 2025 RR Retained Players List – Rajasthan Royals Best Strategy

2nd Scenario – 5 Players Retained

So, having seen the top 4 retentions in the form of Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Siraj, and Faf du Plessis, if RCB is given the option to retain a fifth player, it has got to be Rajat Patidar. Patidar has been a key performer for RCB and as well as in the Domestic circuit in the last few years. With his stake increasing every year, it makes sense to retain him as the fifth player in the squad. 

3rd Scenario – 6 Players Retained

Finally, talking about retaining a sixth player for RCB can have the flexibility of going for an Indian player, or an Overseas player. But among Indian players, they don’t have good options that are most likely to be retained. So, among Foreign players, RCB can look at retaining one of Cameron Green or Will Jacks. But given Green’s utility in both departments, he will be a front-runner for retention in IPL 2025. 

RCB Retained Players List 2025 – IPL Strategy

1. Virat Kohli
2. Glenn Maxwell
3. Mohammed Siraj
4. Faf du Plessis
5. Rajat Patidar
6. Cameron Green

So, that’s about the best retained players list scenarios for RCB for IPL 2025. Overall, if there are no restrictions, 6 players will be on RCB’s radar. But if there are restrictions, they are likely to retain Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Siraj, Faf du Plessis, Rajat Patidar, and Cameron Green in order. Meanwhile, from the uncapped players, RCB can target Anuj Rawat, Vyshak Vijaykumar, and Suyash Prabhudeasai.

Thanks for reading! What’s your take on the retained players list scenarios for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for IPL 2025? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.