RCB’s Worst IPL Auction Decision Ever For 2025
For cricket fans, the IPL super auction of 2025 held on 24th and 25th November, became an emotional rollercoaster filled with unexpected decisions and intense bidding wars. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s decision created waves, not because of the players they signed but more because of the players they passed on and the dubious choices they made. One mistake was foregoing signing veteran wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul was one of the most talked-about decisions. Despite possessing the second-largest purse of any team, ₹90 crores, RCB’s cautious strategy left their devoted supporters perplexed.
A Fantastic Chance Lost: KL Rahul to DC
One of the most reliable players in the and a previous Orange Cap winner, KL R., was sold to the Delhi Capitals (DC) for an unexpectedly low ₹14 crore.
- With a remarkable 134.61 IPL career strike rate and an average of 45, Rahul is useful not just as a batsman but also as a wicketkeeper. Many anticipated that his price would rise above ₹20 crore in light of these figures.
Before DC intervened, the bidding war was primarily between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and RCB. After a brief battle with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), DC prevailed and acquired Rahul at a discount. Rahul himself has stated his wish to rejoin the team in 2013 where he began his IPL career, further inflaming the resentment of RCB supporters.
KL Rahul's Influence: What RCB Did Not See
Rahul is the most consistent player. In six of the previous seven IPL seasons, he has scored more than 500 runs.
- His 397-run season in 2016 was crucial in getting RCB to the championship game. KL is a great fit for RCB because he is a native of Karnataka and has a close bond with Bengaluru supporters.
- His worth is further enhanced by his leadership abilities, which were demonstrated during his time as captain of the Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants.
- Rahul showed his ability to effectively manage teams by leading Lucknow to the playoffs twice in three years.
After RCB decided to let Rahul slip away, social media went crazy. The fans referred to it as
“RCB’s worst decision ever,” with many pointing out that Rahul was a bargain at ₹14 crore when compared to other high-profile players.
RCB's Auction Strategy: Perplexity and Disapproval
Both analysts and fans were perplexed by RCB’s general approach in the 2025 auction. The squad avoided aggressive bidding in the marquee rounds, even though they only kept three players: Yash Dayal (₹5 crore), Rajat Patidar (₹11 crore), and Virat Kohli (₹21 crore).
The franchise passed on huge names like Rishabh Pant, Mitchell Starc, and Shreyas Iyer in favor of England all-rounder Liam Livingstone as their only selection from the marquee sets. There was also opposition to the decision to fire Mohammed Siraj, who had paid ₹12.25 crore to join the Gujarat Titans. Players who will join the team this year are –
| Player Name | Price (Rs) |
|---|---|
| Josh Hazlewood | 12.5 crore |
| Phil Salt | 11.50 crore |
| Jitesh Sharma | 11 crore |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 10.75 crore |
| Liam Livingstone | 8.75 crore |
| Rasikh Dar | 6 crore |
| Krunal Pandya | 5.75 crore |
| Tim David | 3 crore |
| Suyash Sharma | 2.6 crore |
| Jacob Bethell | 2.6 crore |
| Devdutt Padikkal | 2 crore |
| Romario Shepherd | 1.5 crore |
| Nuwan Thushara | 1.6 crore |
| Lungi Ngidi | 1 crore |
| Swapnil Singh | 50 lakh |
| Manoj Bhandage | 30 lakh |
| Swastik Chikara | 30 lakh |
| Abhinandan Singh | 30 lakh |
| Mohit Rathee | 30 lakh |
RCB’s Response
“Trust the Process”: Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Response
RCB responded to the criticism on social media by urging supporters to have faith in their goals. Their posts say:
We still have a lot more plans (and money) to make. Remain composed and have faith in the planning.
“All is not done; we have plenty of plans (and purse) left. Keep Calm and Trust the Planning.”
Fans were not really placated by these guarantees, though. Robin Uthappa and other former cricket players have voiced their dissatisfaction.
“I genuinely do not understand how you have the second-biggest purse and do not go for big players in the marquee sets,” Uthappa remarked.
The Big Picture: What Does RCB Have in Store?
Discussions over RCB’s future plans have been triggered by the auction results. The team may be striving for long-term stability rather than immediate success since Virat Kohli is rumored to return as captain. This cautious strategy, though, runs the danger of offending their devoted fan base, who have been waiting more than ten years for an IPL title.
In Conclusion, after everything is said and done, everyone will be now watching RCB’s playing strategy to see if their conservative approach pays off on the field. Fans’ sadness is still evident until then, as they continue to worry if 2025 will see their favorite team win the coveted IPL trophy or if they will continue to make poor choices.
