RCB avoided pursuing high-profile players like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and Mitchell Starc, despite having the second-largest budget in the auction.
RCB’s auction strategy surprised many on Day 1 of the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah. Even though there were speculations about KL Rahul’s return to the franchise, they chose not to bid for him, allowing Delhi Capitals to buy him for INR 14 crore.
They also avoided pursuing high-profile players like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and Mitchell Starc, despite having the second-largest budget in the auction.
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Instead, RCB made only one notable purchase in Liam Livingstone. This cautious approach left former cricketer Robin Uthappa questioning their strategy for building a strong team.
Speaking on Jio Cinema, Robin Uthappa criticized RCB’s auction strategy, questioning why they avoided bidding for marquee players despite having the second largest budget. As a Bengaluru native and former RCB player, he found their approach surprising.
“Three are my favourite sides are KKR, CSK and RCB. I have played for all three sides. I am telling you as a local Bengaluru boy, I am confused. I genuinely do not understand how you have the second-biggest purse and how you do not go for the big players in the marquee sets,” Uthappa said.
The former RCB player highlighted that fans have been backing the team year after year, but social media reactions show they feel let down, making him wonder about the team’s direction.
“You did not make more than one pick. When you are trying to rebuild your side, when you are looking for a new direction, you have got the fans backing you year after year, they put their emotions, they are thronging the stadium year after year. When you go through social media, it seems they are let down. I, as a fan of RCB and former player, I feel like they missed a trick. You just wonder where they are heading, “Uthappa added.
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Uthappa also questioned RCB’s failure to target big players like Mitchell Starc, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, or Shreyas Iyer, believing they could have used their budget to secure one of them.
“They haven’t gone after Mitchell Starc as they are looking for a gun bowler in those conditions. They should have gone after KL Rahul, they haven’t gone after even Rishabh Pant or Shreyas Iyer. You got that purse. You could have gone for Rs 23 crore for one of those players. They didn’t go that far,” he further stated.
On Day 1 of the IPL 2025 auction, RCB made a few strategic moves, securing three overseas players and three Indian players. Their biggest purchase was Josh Hazlewood for INR 12.50 crore, followed by England’s Phil Salt for INR 11.50 crore and Liam Livingstone for INR 8.75 crore.
The team also acquired Indian wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma for INR 11 crore, alongside uncapped bowlers Rashikh Salam and Suyash Sharma.
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