Sanjay Manjrekar believes RCB will try their best to bring wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal back into the team from the IPL 2025 Auction.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are gearing up for a crucial IPL 2025 auction with a significant budget to strengthen their squad. Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes one of their prime targets could be their former leg-spin maestro, Yuzvendra Chahal. However, he also anticipates stiff competition from the Rajasthan Royals (RR), who are unlikely to let their star spinner go without a fight.
Speaking on the Star Sports show Game Plan, Manjrekar highlighted Chahal’s importance to RCB during his stint with the franchise and the potential tug-of-war for his services in the upcoming auction.
He said, “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.”
RCB will head into the IPL 2025 Auction with a substantial purse of INR 83 crores. Only Punjab Kings have a higher available purse. standing at INR 110.5 crores.
The Bengaluru-based franchise has retained only three players—Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal—ensuring they have one of the largest budgets heading into the auction. This financial flexibility could allow them to target top-tier players, including Chahal, who has been a vital cog in their past campaigns.
On the other hand, the Rajasthan Royals find themselves in a contrasting position. With six retained players, the Royals have just ₹41 crore left in their kitty. Adding to their constraints, they cannot utilize the Right to Match (RTM) card to retain Chahal either.
Despite these challenges, Manjrekar feels RR will prioritize keeping the Ashwin-Chahal duo intact, a partnership that has become central to their bowling plans.
Chahal’s performances in IPL 2024 sum up his value as a premier leg-spinner in the format. Representing Rajasthan Royals last season, he scalped 18 wickets in 15 innings, albeit with a higher-than-usual economy rate of 9.41. His effectiveness remains undiminished, and he continues to be a game-changer, particularly in the middle overs.
RCB, however, have a strong emotional and strategic reason to reacquire Chahal. The 33-year-old remains the franchise’s highest wicket-taker across all T20s, with an impressive tally of 139 wickets at an economy rate of 7.58 in 112 innings. His ability to deliver under pressure and his deep understanding of Bengaluru’s challenging conditions make him a coveted asset for the franchise.
The decision to retain only three players, including Kohli, indicates a possible overhaul for RCB in their quest for an elusive IPL title. Kohli, who has been the face of the franchise for over a decade, could once again play a pivotal role in shaping the team’s auction strategy. As Manjrekar pointed out, Kohli’s influence might drive RCB’s pursuit of Chahal, their former “trump card.”
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While RCB’s substantial budget gives them an advantage, they face tough competition from other franchises, including RR, who will likely exhaust all resources to retain Chahal. With both franchises eyeing a player who can single-handedly change games, the IPL 2025 auction promises to be an intense battle.
RCB fans, who have witnessed Chahal’s magic firsthand, will undoubtedly hope for a reunion that could reignite their title aspirations. Whether the leg-spinner returns to his former franchise or stays with the Royals will be one of the key stories to watch in the upcoming IPL season.
