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The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fought hard in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), making the playoffs after an admirable second-half comeback that culminated in a tense win over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Hopes of an elusive first title were rekindled at that point.
While Bengaluru fell soon after to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator, they did enough to give their fans some optimism for the new campaign. A mega auction might actually help RCB at this point in time, with their youngsters not covering themselves in glory for the most part, particularly in the batting department.
At the same time, the Royal Challengers have enough talent in their ranks to keep hold of their core ahead of the major shake-up. There are a few names who are bound to stay on with the franchise.
On that note, here are three players RCB must retain ahead of IPL 2025.
#3 Cameron Green
IPL 2024 saw Cameron Green come into his own as a quality pace-bowling all-rounder for RCB. The Aussie amassed 255 runs at a strike rate of 143.26 and chipped in with 10 wickets at an economy rate of 8.62. He played an integral role in the team's run to the playoffs.
There are concerns over Green's workload, with him recently suffering a back injury. Cricket Australia are known for being protective of their frontline Test players, and that's only going to increase with tournaments like the Ashes on the horizon.
However, the IPL's new rules regarding overseas players should make their availability a bit more reliable, and Green can be expected to suit up. The all-rounder is an excellent hitter of pace both in the powerplay and at the death while also being an impressive middle-overs enforcer with the ball.
RCB will struggle to find a player who fits Green's profile if they don't keep hold of him.
#2 Rajat Patidar
Spin hitters as destructive and consistent as Rajat Patidar are hard to come by in the IPL. The dynamic batter, who missed IPL 2023 with an injury, returned to the RCB squad earlier this year and overcame a rough start to become one of the team's most dangerous batters.
Patidar almost single-handedly ensured that RCB destroyed spin matchups thrown their way. Despite being surrounded by pace hitters in Faf du Plessis, Will Jacks and Virat Kohli, along with an out-of-form Glenn Maxwell, the Indian middle-order batter managed to defy the odds and clear the boundary at will.
Patidar's stocks are high right now, and he will go for big money if he is part of the auction. Given that RCB are likely to retain Kohli and at least one of Green and Jacks, complementing them with Patidar makes a ton of sense.
#1 Virat Kohli
From a cricketing standpoint alone, Virat Kohli might not be worth the ₹18 crore RCB are inevitably going to pay him to keep hold of his services ahead of IPL 2025. While the superstar batter is a terrific maximizer of the powerplay and one of the best pace hitters in the country, he has his limitations against spin. His approach in the middle overs is highly questionable, too.
However, Kohli is such an integral part of RCB that it will never make sense for them to let him go. A huge global brand with a massive fan following, the IPL 2024 Orange Cap winner brings a lot to the table. He is an energetic presence on the field and clearly has a lot of cricket left in him.
If Kohli can continue to level up his T20 game and become adept against spin as well, he will be a class apart. RCB just can't afford to let their main man go.
