RCB had a few near misses at the IPL 2025 auction.
After a quiet and slow approach on Day 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) auction, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) sprang into action on Day 2, making efforts to assemble a more balanced team. With only three players retained before the mega-auction, the RCB management faced the challenge of rebuilding its squad in a bid to win their maiden title.
Despite criticism for purchasing just six players on Day 1, even with a large budget, they compensated for it on Day 2 by successfully addressing the gaps in their lineup.
Nevertheless, RCB, like other teams also had a few near misses. In this article, we take a look at the top 5 stars RCB unsuccessfully bid for before they were picked up by another franchise.
Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc was one of the biggest overseas fast bowlers available at the IPL 2025 auction. Mitchell Starc made his IPL debut in 2014, representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). In that season, he featured in 14 matches, claiming 14 wickets with an average of 28.71 and an economy rate of 7.49.
His best bowling performance in the IPL came during the 2015 season, also for RCB, when he delivered an impressive spell of 4/15 against the Punjab Kings (PBKS). That season is widely regarded as Starc’s finest in the IPL, where he stood out as RCB’s leading bowler and played a pivotal role in their campaign.
Building on the same lines, RCB thought of roping in Starc for the next season. Starc’s auction value soared to INR 10.25 crore during the bidding process, prompting KKR to step back. However, RCB unexpectedly joined the fray, pushing the price to INR 11.5 crore. Ultimately, it was Delhi who secured him with a final bid of INR 11.75 crore.
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South African pacer Kagiso Rabada sparked a bidding war right from the outset, with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) showing strong interest. Starting at a base price of INR 2 crore, Rabada also attracted Mumbai Indians (MI), who entered the race midway and pushed the bid to INR 5.25 crore.
RCB withdrew as soon as MI joined, but GT remained resolute, refusing to back down. Later, RCB re-entered the competition with a bid of INR 8.25 crore, intensifying the battle until MI exited. Ultimately, GT, who had shown consistent interest from the beginning, secured Rabada’s services for INR 10.5 crore.
Venkatesh Iyer entered the auction with a base price of INR 2 crore, with KKR making the initial bid. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) soon joined the race, attempting to outbid them. Having played a crucial role in KKR’s title-winning campaign last season, Iyer became the focal point of an intense bidding battle.
The competition between LSG and KKR saw consistent paddle lifts, with KKR leading with a bid of INR 7.75 crore, which appeared to be a bargain. Just as KKR seemed poised to secure Iyer, RCB entered the fray.
The bidding escalated quickly and surpassed INR 20 crore and KKR holding the edge at INR 20.75 crore. Although RCB was determined to stay in the fight, after an intense back-and-forth, the price soared to ₹23.75 crore. Ultimately, RCB withdrew, and Iyer was acquired by KKR for INR 23.75 crore.
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The Australian has established himself as one of the finest all-rounders in the shortest format of the game. Priced at INR 2 crore, RCB initiated the bidding proceedings for the Aussie, who has previously been a part of the franchise in 2019.
From the onset, it was a two-horse battle between RCB and CSK before the five-time IPL winners gave up at INR 8.50. With RCB hoping to secure the all-rounder, PBKS joined in late and stole him from the Bengaluru outfit at INR 11 crore.
The left-arm pacer from Tamil Nadu entered the auction with a base price of INR 2 crore. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) wasted no time, expressing keen interest in reclaiming the bowler who had been a cornerstone of their attack for years. However, SRH faced stiff competition as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stepped in, determined to enhance their bowling lineup, sparking a thrilling bidding war.
The contest intensified further when the Delhi Capitals (DC) joined the fray. As the bidding approached ₹10 crore, DC ultimately outbid RCB, securing Natarajan for ₹10.75 crore. This deal marked a significant leap from his previous IPL earnings, which had been ₹4 crore annually during his three-year stint with SRH.
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