Royal Challengers Bengaluru may be one of the three OG teams in the IPL that are yet to win a tournament (the others being Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings), but they have been serious title contenders in the last few seasons. Even in the 2024 season, the Faf-led team made one of the most inspirational comebacks ever seen in IPL, as from languishing at the bottom at the halfway mark, they emerged as one of the four teams to qualify for the playoffs.
They would want to build on the momentum in the upcoming season and go the full distance by clinching their maiden title. To do that, they need to build a strong team, and this will start at the IPL retentions.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli and RCB are always synonymous with one another and he is more than likely to be retained by the franchise for yet another IPL cycle. The former skipper has been part of the Bengaluru-based team since its inception and come IPL 2025, Kohli will once again be a Royal Challenger. He is the league’s highest run-getter and was the orange cap winner in the IPL 2024 edition.
Mohammad Siraj
Any IPL team would like to have an Indian pacer who is actively playing in international cricket in their ranks and RCB have one of India’s all-format fast bowlers in Mohammed Siraj. In the last two seasons alone, the pacer has snapped up 34 wickets in 28 games and has been leading the pace attack rather effectively. His presence has considerably boosted RCB’s bowling department, and the team views Siraj as an asset.
Rajat Patidar (RTM)
Another likely candidate to be retained by RCB ahead of the 2025 auctions could be the middle-order batter Rajat Patidar. The 31-year-old has shown remarkable consistency for RCB in the last 2 seasons he featured (2022 and 2024). Be it a sensational century in the IPL 2022 eliminator or playing the 2024 season with a staggering strike rate of 177, and scoring 395 runs, Patidar has been impressive. This should boost his chances of being retained or RCB could utilize the Right to Match option on him.
Cameron Green
RCB acquired the services of the Aussie all-rounder, courtesy of a trade-in from Mumbai Indians, before the 2024 season. The 25-year-old didn’t disappoint as he contributed in both departments of the game (255 runs and 10 wickets in 12 games). Though these are not the best numbers, Green’s talent can’t be neglected and he has proved to be a match-winner for his sides, including Australia. Hence, RCB would be looking to have him in the future scheme of things.
Yash Dayal (Uncapped Player)
After enduring a forgettable 2023 season while playing for Gujarat Titans, Yash Dayal had a remarkable turnaround in the following edition, this time in RCB colors. The left-arm was entrusted and backed by the management as he played 14 games in the season, picking 15 wickets. He improved leaps & bounds through the season and is now part of the Indian Test team. So, he could potentially be retained as RCB’s uncapped player before the auctions.
Check out the same list for other IPL teams here.
