RCB‘s IPL 2025 squad, revamped after the Jeddah auction, has divided fans. While some see it as a well-balanced team, others point out weaknesses in both batting and bowling. The franchise spent ₹82.25 crore on 19 players, including key overseas additions.
With a new leadership duo, Andy Flower and Mo Bobat, RCB will face high expectations after last season’s lucky top-four qualification. Here are three areas where the team seems stronger than in IPL 2024:
#1 Fewer big names, but a more balanced middle-order
In the previous season’s Eliminator against Rajasthan Royals, RCB’s two middle-order overseas batters, Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green, who together cost ₹28.5 crores, had a poor game and an underwhelming season.
However, for IPL 2025, RCB has balanced things out by signing Liam Livingstone, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Jacon Bethell, and Manoj Bhadange within the same budget. This is a smart move, providing strong first-team options as well as solid backups, even with the increased budget.
This approach reduces pressure on just two big names and encourages healthy competition, boosting performances. RCB’s batting order becomes more robust, with international quality players in the top six, and several middle-order players capable of bowling, ensuring a manageable impact from Maxwell and Green’s departure.
#2 Younger opener, younger team overall
It may seem harsh, but RCB has made an upgrade by replacing Faf du Plessis with England’s Phil Salt. Du Plessis was excellent for the franchise, offering strong leadership and three solid batting seasons. However, at 40, he was past his prime, with his runs coming more from experience than peak form.
RCB would have been imprudent to depend on him for the long term. Salt, at 28, offers a more sustainable option with recent international experience. Salt outperforms du Plessis as a boundary-hitter, with a higher strike rate against all types of spin.
His ability to handle spin better will help RCB’s openers, making it harder for opponents to control them. Additionally, the team is lowering its average age, with Jitesh Sharma (31) replacing Dinesh Karthik (39) and Liam Livingstone (31) coming in for Glenn Maxwell (36), enhancing the team’s longevity.
#3 A highly efficient spinner who also strengthens the batting order
Adding to the batting depth, left-arm spin all-rounder Krunal Pandya will play a key role as RCB’s lead spinner in IPL 2025, significantly improving upon the performances of Karn Sharma and Mayank Dagar, who struggled with expensive spells.
Krunal’s excellent economy rate of 6.58 at venues like Chinnaswamy reflects his ability to control the game, with his pace variations and accuracy making him an ideal fit for RCB this season.
Krunal Pandya would complement the wicket-taking Suyash Sharma and strengthen RCB’s pace attack, which includes Rasikh Salam, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Yash Dayal. This combination would make RCB’s attack more effective in IPL 2025, enabling the team to sustain pressure for longer periods.
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