IPL 2025: Strengths and Weaknesses of Royal Challengers Bengaluru
As IPL 2025 nears, RCB seek their first title in the league. RCB reached the playoffs in four of the last five seasons. But, they have faltered at crucial stages. With Virat Kohli back as captain, RCB fans are hopeful. The squad has several new players. Below, we analyze RCB’s strengths, weaknesses, and overall prospects for IPL 2025.
RCB’s Squad for IPL 2025
RCB retained only three players before the IPL 2025 auction. They added 19 new recruits during the auction in Jeddah on November 25-26. Surprisingly, they chose not to use either of their Right to Match (RTM) cards.
RCB Retained Players:
- Virat Kohli (₹21 crore)
- Rajat Patidar (₹11 crore)
- Yash Dayal (₹5 crore)
Top Buys at Auction:
- Liam Livingstone (₹8.75 crore)
- Phil Salt (₹11.50 crore)
- Jitesh Sharma (₹11 crore)
- Josh Hazlewood (₹12.50 crore)
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (₹10.75 crore)
Full squad details are available in the table below.
Strengths of RCB
1.A Dynamic Batting Lineup
Batting is undoubtedly RCB’s strongest suit for IPL 2025. The team has a strong lineup. It starts with Phil Salt. He had an explosive season for KKR last year, scoring 435 runs at a strike rate of 182. Salt is set to open alongside Kohli, who amassed 741 runs in IPL 2024, averaging 61.75. Together, they form a lethal opening pair.
Rajat Patidar, another key figure, adds stability in the middle order. Last season, he scored 395 runs at a strike rate of 177.13. Liam Livingstone, a destructive hitter, bolsters the lineup at No. 5, while finishers like Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, and Tim David provide depth.
2.Virat Kohli Returns as Captain
Kohli’s return as captain brings both experience and leadership to the team. With 143 matches as captain in his IPL career, he has a win percentage of 46.15. Kohli’s passion and commitment to RCB make him a valuable asset in guiding the team this season.
3.A Strong Pace Attack
RCB’s fast-bowling unit looks solid. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, and Josh Hazlewood lead the charge. Bhuvneshwar has 181 IPL wickets. He brings great experience. Hazlewood has 35 wickets in just 27 matches at an average of 23. Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal adds variety, having taken 15 wickets for RCB last season.
RCB’s pace has strong backups, like Lungi Ngidi and Nuwan Thushara. They provide options if there’s an injury or need to rotate.
Weaknesses of RCB
1.Lack of Quality Spinners
RCB’s spin department is a major concern. They are heavily reliant on Krunal Pandya, who has struggled in recent seasons. Pandya managed only six wickets in IPL 2024, averaging 42.50. Suyash Sharma, the other likely spinner, lacks experience. He has taken just 10 wickets across two IPL seasons.
The lack of depth in their spin bowling is evident, as the bench offers no notable names. This could leave RCB vulnerable on spin-friendly tracks.
2.Thin Bench of Indian Pacers
Beyond Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal, RCB lacks experienced Indian pacers. The franchise spent ₹6 crore on Rasikh Salam Dar, but he remains unproven at the IPL level. Injuries or poor form to either Bhuvneshwar or Dayal could severely impact RCB’s balance and performance.
Probable Playing XI for RCB in IPL 2025
- Phil Salt
- Virat Kohli (C)
- Rajat Patidar
- Liam Livingstone
- Krunal Pandya
- Jitesh Sharma (WK)
- Tim David
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Josh Hazlewood
- Yash Dayal
- Suyash Sharma
Who Can Be RCB’s Impact Players?
The Impact Player rule in IPL allows teams to substitute one of their five designated substitutes when needed. RCB’s best strategy could be to use Devdutt Padikkal as a substitute batsman when batting first. Then, bring in an extra bowler, like Suyash Sharma, during the second innings.
Key Players to Watch Out for in IPL 2025
Virat Kohli
With over 8,000 IPL runs, Kohli remains RCB’s biggest asset. After a great 2024 season, he will try to stay in form while embracing his new duty as captain. His leadership could be pivotal in shaping the team’s fortunes.
Phil Salt
Salt’s explosive batting at the top of the order is expected to give RCB quick starts. His ability to dominate the powerplay could set the tone for RCB’s innings.
RCB’s Playoff Chances in IPL 2025
RCB have a strong starting XI. But, they lack depth in Indian players, especially pacers and spinners. This could pose challenges. The team also missed key auction targets, like KL Rahul and Yuzvendra Chahal. They could have strengthened their lineup. However, RCB have shown they can overcome flaws and make the playoffs.
With a balanced XI and Kohli’s leadership, RCB remain a strong contender for a top-four finish in IPL 2025.
