RCB Playing XI, IPL 2025: Best Royal Challengers Bengaluru Playing 11, Players List, and Full Squad

After retaining key players like Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal from the previous season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru made strategic additions to their squad during the IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah on November 24 and 25.

In the IPL 2025 auction, RCB secured 19 players, bringing their squad to 22, including retained players. Their notable signings included Josh Hazlewood for INR 12.5 crore, Phil Salt for INR 11.5 crore, Bhuvneshwar Kumar for INR 10.75 crore, Jitesh Sharma for INR 11 crore, and Liam Livingstone for INR 8.75 crore. The rest of the players were acquired at more budget-friendly prices.

Complete RCB Players List and Squad for IPL 2025:

Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thushara, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chikara, Mohit Rathee, Lungi Ngidi, Abhinandan Singh.

Let’s explore what could be the strongest playing XI for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025 based on their current squad.

Strongest RCB Playing XI for IPL 2025:

• Virat Kohli
• Phil Salt (wk)
• Devdutt Padikkal
• Rajat Patidar
• Liam Livingstone
• Tim David
• Krunal Pandya
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar
• Suyash Sharma
• Josh Hazlewood
• Yash Dayal

Bench: Swastik Chikara, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jacob Bethell, Romario Shepherd, Swapnil Singh, Rasikh Dar, Mohit Rathee, Nuwan Thushara, Abhinandan Singh, Lungi Ngidi, Manoj Bhandage

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CricXtasy – Daily Cricket News and Updates (@cricxtasy)

Strongest Points:

• RCB boasts a strong opening pair with Virat Kohli and Phil Salt leading the batting lineup.
• The team has an excellent new-ball bowling duo in Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood.
• Two reliable spin all-rounders, Liam Livingstone and Krunal Pandya, add depth to the squad.
• With the inclusion of an impact player, RCB can utilize up to seven bowling options for versatility.

Weakest Points:

• RCB have strong backup options for most positions but faces a challenge in finding depth, particularly domestic talent, for the No. 3 batting spot.
• Death bowling might be an issue for RCB. They can either use Rasikh Dar as impact player to compensate for that or need to find a way to use Nuwan Thushara in the XI.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CricXtasy – Daily Cricket News and Updates (@cricxtasy)

Will Virat Kohli be the Captain of RCB in IPL 2025?

Looking at RCB’s retentions and auction strategy, it seems the captaincy for the upcoming IPL season could go to either Virat Kohli, Krunal Pandya, or Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Among these options, Virat Kohli is the likely choice due to his prior experience as RCB captain and his status as the most experienced player in the team. Rajat Patidar maybe appointed as his deputy to create a continuity for the franchise.

For more updates, follow Cricxtasy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Telegram and YouTube.