The eagerly awaited IPL 2025 Mega Auction is started in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at the prestigious Abady Al-Johar Arena. This event is historic as it marks only the second time an IPL auction is being held outside India, with last year’s auction taking place in Dubai. With 577 players up for grabs, the auction promises to be a thrilling spectacle as franchises compete to strengthen their squads for the next three years.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are heading into the 2025 IPL Mega Auction with ₹83 crore in their budget, the second-largest purse after the Punjab Kings. With this substantial amount, RCB is poised to make significant moves.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB):
- Head Coach: Andy Flower
- Chairman: Prathmesh Mishra
- Director of Cricket: Mo Bobat
RCB has made headlines by retaining Virat Kohli for ₹21 crore, making him the first Indian player to surpass the ₹20 crore mark in IPL history. There are also rumors that Kohli might be appointed as the captain from the next season. Additionally, the franchise has retained Rajat Patidar for ₹11 crore and uncapped player Yash Dayal for ₹4 crore.
As one of the most watched teams, RCB aims to build a squad capable of ending their 17-year IPL trophy drought. With only three players retained, they have ₹83 crore left in their purse to make strategic buys at the auction.
List Of Players Retained By RCB:
Virat Kohli- Rs 21 cr
Rajat Patidar- Rs 11 Cr
Yash Dayal- Rs 4 Cr
List Of Players Bought By RCB In IPL 2025 Mega Auction:
1. Liam Livingstone- Rs 8.75 Cr
England’s Liam Livingstone was signed by RCB for Rs. 8.75 crore during the Indian Premier League 2025 mega auction in Jeddah on Sunday. The bidding war for the England star began with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, followed by Sunrisers Hyderabad. Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings also entered the fray, but ultimately, Royal Challengers Bengaluru emerged victorious.
Liam Livingstone has entered the IPL 2025 mega auction with a base price of ₹2 crore. Livingstone’s IPL journey began in 2019 with the Rajasthan Royals, where he played for two seasons, scoring 112 runs. In the 2022 mega auction, he was picked up by the Punjab Kings. His first season with Punjab was impressive, as he scored 437 runs, including four fifties, and took six wickets. However, his performance dipped in the following seasons, with scores of 279 and 111 runs. Despite his success in T20 leagues worldwide, Livingstone has yet to fully meet expectations in the IPL. He will be looking to change that in the 2025 season with RCB.
2. Phil Salt- Rs 11.50 Cr
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have acquired Phil Salt for ₹11.50 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction. The bidding started with Mumbai Indians, but RCB soon joined in, engaging in a fierce bidding war with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) before ultimately securing Salt.
Salt’s IPL journey began in 2023 with Delhi Capitals, where he scored 218 runs at a strike rate of over 160 in his debut season. Despite his impressive performance, Delhi Capitals released him. In the 2024 season, playing for KKR, Salt excelled by scoring 435 runs in 12 games, including four half-centuries.
3. Jitesh Sharma- Rs 11 Cr
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have signed Jitesh Sharma for ₹11 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction. RCB initially made the highest bid at ₹7 crore, prompting Punjab Kings to consider using their Right to Match (RTM) option. However, Punjab Kings decided not to match the bid after RCB raised the price to ₹11 crore.
Jitesh Sharma earned his first IPL contract in the 2022 mega auction when he was signed by Punjab Kings. In his debut season, he played 12 games and scored 234 runs at a strike rate of 164. In the 2023 season, he played all 14 games for Punjab Kings, scoring 309 runs at a strike rate of over 155. In the 2024 IPL season, Jitesh scored 187 runs and even captained Punjab Kings in their final game of the season.
4. Josh Hazlewood- Rs 12.50 Cr
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have acquired Josh Hazlewood for ₹12.50 crore at the IPL mega auction. Despite strong bids from Lucknow Super Giants, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Mumbai Indians, RCB emerged victorious.
Hazlewood’s IPL career has been impressive since it began in 2020 with Chennai Super Kings, where he played three matches. His standout season was in 2022 with RCB, where he took 20 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 18.85.
Known for their struggles with a modest bowling attack, RCB made a significant investment in Hazlewood, making him their biggest signing of the day at ₹12.50 crore. He is expected to lead their pace attack in the upcoming IPL season.
5. Rasikh Dar- Rs 6 Cr
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have signed Rasikh Salam for ₹6 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction. RCB initiated the bidding, followed by Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad withdrew when RCB raised the bid to ₹2 crore. Delhi Capitals then used their Right to Match (RTM) option, but RCB increased their bid to ₹6 crore, which Delhi Capitals chose not to match.
Rasikh Salam gained fame when he secured his first IPL contract at just 17 years old, being signed by Mumbai Indians in December 2018. He became only the third cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to earn an IPL contract.
6. Suyash Sharma- Rs 2.60 Cr
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have signed Suyash Sharma for ₹2.60 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction. The bidding started with Delhi Capitals, followed by interest from both RCB and Mumbai Indians. After several bids, RCB emerged victorious.
Suyash Sharma’s IPL journey began in 2023 with Kolkata Knight Riders, where he played 11 matches and took 11 wickets in his debut season. Shortly after, he made his List A debut for Delhi, though he has yet to play a first-class match for his state team. In List A cricket, Suyash has taken 10 wickets in 4 games.
7. Krunal Pandya- Rs 5.75 Cr
Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured Krunal Pandya for INR 5.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, outbidding the Rajasthan Royals, who withdrew after their bid reached INR 4.80 crore.
Krunal made his IPL debut with the Mumbai Indians, scoring 237 runs and taking 6 wickets in his first season. The following year, he contributed 243 runs and 10 wickets, playing a key role in Mumbai’s title win. He remained with Mumbai until 2021, winning three IPL titles during his tenure. In the 2022 mega auction, Krunal was picked up by Lucknow Super Giants. Over three seasons with Lucknow, he amassed over 400 runs and took 25 wickets.
8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar- Rs 10.75 Cr
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was acquired by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs 10.75 crore at the IPL mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Despite being Sunrisers Hyderabad’s all-time leading wicket-taker, he was released ahead of this year’s mega auction. Now, he returns to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, bringing his experience and skill to the team.
Kumar’s IPL journey began with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2009, but he didn’t get a chance to play during his two seasons there. He then moved to the now-defunct Pune Warriors, where he had three unremarkable seasons. His career took a positive turn in 2014 when he joined Sunrisers Hyderabad. He consistently took over 18 wickets in each of his first four seasons and won the Purple Cap in 2016 and 2017. He was instrumental in Sunrisers’ maiden IPL title win in 2016.
9. Swapnil Singh- Rs 50 Lakh
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) utilised their Right to Match (RTM) card to retain Swapnil Singh at the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah on November 25. Swapnil was re-signed by RCB for Rs 50 lakh after Delhi Capitals (DC) bid for him, pushing the price up from his base of Rs 30 lakh. RCB matched DC’s final bid to secure the spinner.
Swapnil, who debuted in the IPL in 2017, was picked up by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in 2023. He had an impressive season with RCB in 2024, taking 6 wickets in 7 matches with an economy rate of 8.87, and best figures of 2/28. Additionally, he made valuable contributions with the bat, scoring 37 runs at a strike rate of 176.19.
10. Tim David- Rs 3 Crore
Australian all-rounder Tim David was snapped up by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs 3 crore at the IPL 2025 auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Monday.
David is highly sought after in global T20 leagues, having scored 4872 runs in 254 matches at an impressive strike rate of 159.79. In the IPL, he has accumulated 659 runs with a strike rate just over 170. A regular in the Australian T20I squad, David has also scored 1201 runs at a strike rate of 161.20.
11. Romario Shepherd- Rs 1.50 Crore
Romario Shepherd, the dynamic West Indies all-rounder, has been snapped up by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for Rs. 1.5 crore in the IPL 2025 Auction. Shepherd’s acquisition is expected to enhance RCB’s all-round capabilities, adding depth to both their batting and bowling departments. His powerful hitting and reliable bowling make him a valuable addition to the team.
12. Nuwan Thushara- Rs 1.60 Crore
Nuwan Thushara, the former Mumbai Indians pacer, was snapped up by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs. 1.60 crore during the second day of the IPL 2025 mega auction. The Sri Lankan seamer, part of Set 26 with eight other fast bowlers, made his IPL debut with Mumbai Indians in 2024. In his debut season, Thushara played 8 matches, claiming 8 wickets and showcasing his potential as a rising star from Sri Lanka. Despite his promising performance, Mumbai Indians released him ahead of the 2025 auction, where he entered with a base price of Rs. 75 lakh.
13. Manoj Bhandage- Rs 30 Lakh
Manoj Bhandage was brought by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs. 30 lakh in the IPL 2025 auction. Known for his all-round prowess, Bhandage made headlines with an explosive unbeaten 44 off just 13 balls in the Maharaja T20 Trophy final. His aggressive batting and useful medium-pace bowling make him a promising addition to RCB’s squad, and fans will be keen to see how he performs in the high-stakes IPL environment.
14. Jacob Bethell- Rs 2.60 Crore
England cricketer Jacob Bethell will don the Royal Challengers Bengaluru jersey in the upcoming IPL season. The talented Englishman was secured by RCB for ₹2.6 crore on Day 2 of the IPL 2025 mega auction, outbidding Punjab Kings. Bethell, who had a base price of ₹1.25 crore, has played 7 T20Is for England, amassing 173 runs at an impressive average of 57.66, including two recent fifties against the West Indies.
In T20s overall, he has scored 909 runs from 52 matches at a strike rate of 142.47, with six half-centuries to his name. His dynamic batting style makes him a valuable addition to the RCB lineup.
15. Devdutt Padikkal- Rs 2 Crore
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have reacquired Devdutt Padikkal at his base price of INR 2 crore in the 2025 auction’s accelerated round. The Karnataka prodigy first made waves in the IPL when RCB signed him before the 2020 season. In his debut season, Padikkal dazzled with 473 runs, including five half-centuries. He continued his stellar form in the following season, amassing 411 runs with a century and a fifty.
Despite his impressive performances, RCB released him before the 2022 mega auction. Padikkal then joined Rajasthan Royals, scoring 376 runs in IPL 2022 and 261 runs in IPL 2023. In IPL 2024, he played for Lucknow Super Giants but struggled, managing only 38 runs in 7 games. Now back with RCB, fans are eager to see if he can rediscover his form and make a significant impact.
16. Swastik Chhikara- Rs 30 Lakh
Swastik Chikara was signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for INR 30 lakh in the accelerated round of the IPL 2025 auction. Representing Uttar Pradesh, he has shown his potential with some impressive performances.
Chikara’s standout moment came in the UP T20 league, he amassed 494 runs at an average of 70.57 and a strike rate of 173.33, making him the second-highest run-scorer. Overall, Chikara’s T20 record includes several impactful innings, and his aggressive batting style is expected to add firepower to the RCB lineup.
17. Lungi Ngidi – Rs 1 crore
18. Abhinandan Singh – Rs 30 lakh
19. Mohit Rathee- Rs 30 lakh
RCB Full Squad For IPL 2025
| Player | Price |
| Virat Kohli | Rs 21 Cr |
| Rajat Patidar | Rs 11 Cr |
| Yash Dayal | Rs 4 Cr |
| Liam Livingstone | Rs. 8.75 Cr |
| Phil Salt | Rs. 11.50 Cr |
| Jitesh Sharma | Rs. 11 Cr |
| Josh Hazlewood | Rs. 12.50 Cr |
| Rashik Dar | Rs. 6 Cr |
| Suyash Sharma | Rs. 2.60 Cr |
| Krunal Pandya | Rs. 5.75 Cr |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Rs. 10.75 Cr |
| Swapnil Singh | Rs. 50 L |
| Tim David | Rs. 3 Cr |
| Romario Shepherd | Rs. 1.50 Cr |
| Nuwan Thushara | Rs. 1.60 Cr |
| Manoj Bhandage | Rs. 50 L |
| Jacob Bethell | Rs. 2.60 Cr |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Rs 2 Cr |
| Swastik Chhikara | Rs 30 L |
| Lungi Ngidi | Rs 1 Cr |
| Abhinandan Singh | Rs 30 L |
| Mohit Rathee | Rs 30 L |
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