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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) failed to end their title drought in IPL 2024. However, they made a sensational comeback from the fringes of elimination to reach the playoffs. Faf du Plessis-led RCB lost seven of their first eight matches, but then put together an amazing streak, winning six games on the trot to reach the playoffs.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's winning run, however, ended in the Eliminator as they went down to Rajasthan Royals (RR) by four wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Not for the first time in the IPL, it was a case of so near yet so far for the Bengaluru franchise.
With the mega auction coming up ahead of the IPL 2025 season, RCB can retain up to six players - either directly or via the Right to Match (RTM) option. As per the new set of rules for the competition, each side can retain a maximum of five capped players and a maximum of two uncapped players. On that note, we predict RCB's six retentions for IPL 2025.
#1 Virat Kohli
This will be the easiest decision that Royal Challengers Bengaluru will have to make while picking their retention list. Former captain Virat Kohli should feature among the six players that the franchise retain, even as there is a high possibility that RCB will release current skipper Faf du Plessis, who is now 40.
Kohli is the all-time leading run-getter in the IPL, having amassed 8,004 runs in 252 matches at an average of 38.67 and a strike rate of 131.97, with eight hundreds and 55 half-centuries. Kohli was the leading run-getter in the 2024 season as well, with 741 runs in 15 matches at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69.
#2 Cameron Green
There could be a close tussle between two Aussies - Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell - for one of the retention slots in RCB. Going by experience and X-factor, the Australian has an edge. But considering his horror IPL 2024 season, Bengaluru might be tempted to go with Green.
Maxwell managed a meager 52 runs in 10 matches in the IPL 2024 season, with a best of 28. He did a decent job with the ball, picking up six scalps at an average of 21.50. As for Green, he contributed 255 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 143.26 and picked up 10 wickets with his medium pace.
#3 Will Jacks
England big-hitter Will Jacks is also a strong contender to be retained by the Bengaluru franchise for the IPL 2025 season. There were high hopes from the batter heading into the 2024 edition and the 25-year-old proved his worth, hammering 230 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 175.57.
The right-handed batter clobbered a sensational 100* off only 41 balls against Gujarat Titans (GT), slamming five fours and 10 sixes. His power-hitting during the match left even Kohli in awe. Apart from his batting exploits, Jacks also chipped in with a couple of wickets with his handy off-spin.
#4 Mohammed Siraj
Seasoned pacer Mohammed Siraj also stands a strong chance of being retained by RCB ahead of the IPL 2025 season. The right-arm pacer had a decent season for Bengaluru, picking up 15 scalps in 14 matches at an average of 33.07.
Siraj is an experienced campaigner in the T20 league. Having played 93 matches, he has claimed 93 wickets at an average of 30.35 and an economy rate of 8.65. On his day, the right-arm pacer can be unplayable.
#5 Rajat Patidar
Rajat Patidar did not have a great start to the IPL 2024 season. However, he made a strong comeback and was one of the key factors behind Royal Challengers Bengaluru making the playoffs. The right-hander smashed 395 runs in 15 matches at an average of 30.38 and a strike rate of 177.13, with five half-centuries.
Patidar, ruled out of IPL 2023 due to a heel injury, came into prominence during the 2022 season. He smacked 112* in only 54 balls as Royal Challengers Bangalore knocked out Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Eliminator.
The 31-year-old has played 27 IPL games, scoring 799 runs at an average of 34.74 and a strike rate of 158.85.
#6 Yash Dayal (uncapped player)
Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal is as yet uncapped. And if that remains the case, he can be retained as one of the six players by RCB. The Bengaluru franchise were heavily trolled when they picked Dayal (base price ₹20 lakh) at the IPL 2024 auction for ₹5 crore.
The 26-year-old proved his critics wrong by claiming 15 scalps in 14 matches at an average of 30.60. He also dismissed MS Dhoni in the last over in the must-win clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), holding his nerve under immense pressure. Dayal was even picked in the Indian squad for the Test series against Bangladesh but did not make it to the playing XI.
