Sanjay Manjrekar, a prominent cricket analyst, has shared his insights on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and their potential strategies for the upcoming IPL 2025 auction. With Virat Kohli likely to lead the team once again, Manjrekar believes that RCB will aim to bring back Yuzvendra Chahal, their former star spinner. However, he anticipates challenges as the Rajasthan Royals (RR) are keen on retaining the spin-bowling duo of Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin.
RCB has made strategic decisions by retaining only three players – Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal – leaving them with a substantial budget of ₹83 crore. On the other hand, the Rajasthan Royals have retained six players, leaving them with a limited budget of ₹41 crore without the Right To Match card option.
During a recent episode of the Star Sports show ‘Game Plan,’ Manjrekar discussed potential players RCB may target at the auction. Regarding Chahal, he stated, “I believe it will be very difficult for RCB to get Chahal because the Rajasthan Royals will try their best to maintain the partnership of Ashwin and Chahal. If Virat is the captain, RCB will try to bring their old trump card back.”
Chahal’s impressive record of 139 wickets at an economy rate of 7.58 in T20s makes him a valuable asset for any team. In IPL 2024, he showcased his prowess by claiming 18 wickets in 15 innings for RR.
In addition to Chahal, Manjrekar also predicted that RCB might seek to reacquire Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell at the auction. Despite a lackluster performance in IPL 2024, Maxwell’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him an attractive prospect for RCB.
Manjrekar suggested that recruiting Faf du Plessis, a seasoned player with leadership experience, could be a more prudent choice than opting for a young talent. Du Plessis was RCB’s second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2024, amassing 438 runs at a strike rate of 161.62.
In conclusion, Manjrekar’s insights provide valuable perspective on RCB’s potential strategies for the IPL 2025 auction. As the team looks to rebuild its squad under Kohli’s leadership, the decisions made at the auction will play a crucial role in shaping their campaign for the upcoming season.
