While RCB released some big names, the exclusion of Mohammed Siraj was the most surprising one.
Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) retention deadline yesterday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) named only three stars in the list while releasing all the other players on the roster.
The franchise decided to stick with Virat Kohli (INR 21 crore), Rajat Patidar (INR 11 crore) and uncapped Yash Dayal (INR 5 crore).
While RCB released some big names like Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis and Will Jacks, the exclusion of talismanic pacer Mohammed Siraj from RCB’s retained players list was the most surprising one.
Regarding the decision not to include Siraj, the team’s Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat opened up and explained the reasoning behind the move.
Bobat said on RCB’s social channels, “Not retaining him was our toughest decision. We value his contributions, having been a strong performer for RCB and India over the years.”
“However, we wanted to enter the auction with as many options open as possible, especially to build a balanced bowling attack capable of competing effectively in the IPL and other formats,” Bobat added.
RCB took a calculated risk by not retaining Mohammed Siraj
Siraj, who was bought by the franchise in 2018 with a bid of INR 2.2 crore during the auction, has consistently been one of the team’s most effective bowling assets. Since joining RCB, he has claimed 83 wickets across 87 games, with his standout performance of 4/21 coming in the 2023 season.
In the previous season (IPL 2024), he took 15 wickets over 14 matches, at an average of 33.07 and an economy rate of 9.19.
RCB’s decision to release Siraj appears strategic, a calculated risk likely aimed at maintaining a flexible budget for the upcoming auction. By choosing not to retain him, RCB opens the possibility of re-signing Siraj at a potentially lower cost if his auction value fits their financial plans.
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