IPL 2011 to 2025: RCB Retained Players List in Each Mega Auction

Virat Kohli, the commonality each team as we look at the complete retained players list for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) from IPL 2011 to 2025 Mega Auction. 

It’s that time of the year again when the Indian Premier League will see teams being given a level playing field for yet another time. The IPL Mega Auction is a way for teams to retain their core 4-5 players, and then get an equal opportunity in the Auction to build their dream squad. The 2025 edition of the IPL will see exactly that with teams being allowed to retain around 4 players with the rest to be hired from the Auction. 

But even after getting the level playing field, some teams are yet to open their account when it comes to winning the tournament. One such team that is yet to get off the mark is Royal Challengers Bengaluru. One of the most aggressive franchises when it comes to fanbase has been trophyless for 17 years in a row now. Be it 2008, 2011, 2014, 2018, or 2022, RCB got as many as 5 opportunities to start afresh, but never have they been able to cross the line. 

2025 will once again provide the Royal Challengers Bengaluru with the opportunity to build the squad they would like. But before they get into the Auction, the team will have to announce their retentions. But as we wait for the RCB team to announce their retentions, let’s in the meantime look at the retained players list that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team has done from the first IPL Mega Auction in 2011 to the latest predicted one in 2025. 

IPL 2011 to 2025: RCB Retained Players List in Each Mega Auction

IPL 2011 – RCB Full Retained Players List

1. Virat Kohli

After a fantastic start to the IPL from 2008 to 2011, the first-ever Mega Auction was conducted in 2011. Each team were allowed to retain 4 players, but surprisingly RCB retained only one player, and that’s Virat Kohli. After having established himself already at the International level, Virat Kohli was an automatic choice for retention, but surprisingly, they didn’t think to retain anyone else given there were options like Kevin Pieterson, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Jacques Kallis, Robin Uthappa, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Dale Steyn. 

IPL 2014 – RCB Full Retained Players List

1. Virat Kohli
2. AB de Villiers
3. Chris Gayle

After a gap of 3 years in 2014, the second IPL Mega Auction saw RCB retaining their famous trio ever played for them, that’s Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, and AB de Villiers. Never has anyone seen such a belligerent trio play in a single team. But that’s what RCB have always been famous for – the batting. Without a doubt, RCB retained the trio of Gayle, Kohli, and ABD, and they almost had a hands on the trophy in 2016 before SRH won the final by a bare margin. 

IPL 2018 – RCB Full Retained Players List

1. Virat Kohli
2. AB de Villiers
3. Sarfaraz Khan

The year is 2018, and RCB sneaked in a surprise by letting go of one of their Most Valuable Player, Chris Gayle. It wouldn’t have been an easy decision, but seeing Gayle’s diminishing returns in 2016 and 2017 where he scored 227 and 200 runs respectively, RCB were left with no other option. But RCB retained the other two key players, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. What’s more, RCB sneaked in a surprise by retaining an uncapped player, Sarfaraz Khan. 

IPL 2022 – RCB Full Retained Players List

1. Virat Kohli
2. Glenn Maxwell
3. Mohammed Siraj

4 years later in 2022, the IPL saw its fourth Mega Auction. While RCB had a revamped squad by then, one name that has been a constant always is Virat Kohli. Right from the 2008 IPL, Virat Kohli has been associated with the RCB, thus making him the only player in IPL history to be representing a single franchise from 2008 to 2025. Aside from Virat Kohli, RCB also retained Glenn Maxwell and Mohammed Siraj in the 2022 Mega Auction.

So, that’s about the retained players list for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) from IPL 2011 to 2022 Mega Auction. Now, if we talk about the 2025 Mega Auction, RCB will mostly retain Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis, and Mohammed Siraj if four retentions are allowed. In case BCCI allows five retentions then RCB may also think to add Rajat Patidar to the retention list. In case they allow six retentions, RCB will likely add Cameron Green also to the list. 

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ALSO READ: RCB Retained Players List 2025 | IPL Auction Strategy Explained

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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.