Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is one such franchise that has not won the IPL trophy since the inception of the tournament. They retained just three players ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction and went to the auction with a purse of ₹83 lakh. The franchise has made some fine signings, and let us take a look at the strongest playing XI of RCB for the upcoming IPL 2025.
RCB will have one opener in the form of Phil Salt, who was bought for ₹11.50 crore in the mega auction. He will also be a wicketkeeper option for the side. Virat Kohli will be the captain and Salt’s opening partner. The former Indian captain was retained by RCB for ₹21 crore. Rajat Patidar will be batting at the number three spot, and he was retained by RCB for ₹11 crore.
Krunal Pandya, the all-rounder, who was bought for ₹5.75 crore by the Bengaluru-based franchise, will bat at number four for the side. Liam Livingstone will be batting at number five in the playing XI. He was bought for ₹8.75 crore in the mega auction.
Jitesh Sharma will bat at number six, having been bought by RCB for ₹11 crore. He will also be a wicketkeeper option for the side. Tim David will be batting at number seven, having been signed by RCB for ₹4 crore. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will lead the pace bowling attack. The experienced SRH campaigner went on to pick 180+ wickets in the IPL also winning the IPL purple cap on many occasions.
Rasikh Dar Salam will play for RCB after being signed for ₹6 crore. Josh Hazlewood signed for ₹12.50 crore and Yash Dayal retained for ₹5 crore will be the other two pacers in the side.
RCB’s strongest playing XI for IPL 2025
RCB’s strongest XI: Phil Salt (wk), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, and Rasikh Dar Salam.
Impact Player: Devdutt Padikkal
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