RCB Full Squad for IPL 2025: Player Stats, Strengths & Key Signings

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are gearing up for IPL 2025 with a revamped squad, aiming to end their elusive title drought. After a rollercoaster IPL 2024 season that saw them reach the playoffs but fall in the Eliminator, RCB made bold moves in the IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah on November 24-25, 2024. With a new captain in Rajat Patidar and a blend of retained stars and exciting signings, RCB’s squad looks poised for a strong campaign. In this blog, we dive into the full RCB squad for IPL 2025, their player stats, team strengths, and the key signings that could define their season.

RCB Full Squad for IPL 2025: Complete Player List

RCB retained three core players—Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal—before the auction, leaving them with INR 83 crore to build a 22-player squad. Here’s the complete list, including auction prices and key stats (up to IPL 2024 unless stated otherwise):

Retained Players:

1. Virat Kohli (India) – INR 21 crore

• Role: Batsman
• IPL Stats: 8,004 runs in 252 matches, SR: 131.97, Highest: 113*

1. Rajat Patidar (India) – INR 11 crore

• Role: Batsman, Captain
• IPL Stats: 604 runs in 27 matches, SR: 153.30, Highest: 112*

1. Yash Dayal (India) – INR 5 crore

• Role: Fast Bowler
• IPL Stats: 28 wickets in 23 matches, Economy: 8.83, Best: 3/20

Key Auction Signings:

4. Josh Hazlewood (Australia) – INR 12.50 crore

• Role: Fast Bowler
• IPL Stats: 47 wickets in 35 matches, Economy: 8.02, Best: 4/25

4. Phil Salt (England) – INR 11.50 crore

• Role: Wicketkeeper-Batsman
• IPL Stats (2024): 435 runs in 12 matches, SR: 182.00, Highest: 89*

4. Jitesh Sharma (India) – INR 11 crore

• Role: Wicketkeeper-Batsman
• IPL Stats: 709 runs in 40 matches, SR: 147.10, Highest: 49*

4. Liam Livingstone (England) – INR 8.75 crore

• Role: All-rounder
• IPL Stats: 939 runs & 11 wickets in 41 matches, SR: 164.74, Best Bowling: 3/27

4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (India) – INR 10.75 crore

• Role: Fast Bowler
• IPL Stats: 181 wickets in 176 matches, Economy: 7.52, Best: 5/19

4. Krunal Pandya (India) – INR 5.75 crore

• Role: All-rounder
• IPL Stats: 1,652 runs & 75 wickets in 136 matches, SR: 130.44, Economy: 7.36

4. Rasikh Dar Salam (India) – INR 6 crore
   • Role: Fast Bowler
   • IPL Stats: 11 wickets in 14 matches, Economy: 9.72, Best: 3/22
5. Suyash Sharma (India) – INR 2.60 crore
   • Role: Leg-spinner
   • IPL Stats: 15 wickets in 17 matches, Economy: 8.75, Best: 3/30
6. Tim David (Australia) – INR 3 crore
   • Role: Batsman/All-rounder
   • IPL Stats: 478 runs in 28 matches, SR: 158.28, Highest: 46
7. Romario Shepherd (West Indies) – INR 1.50 crore
   • Role: All-rounder
   • IPL Stats: 66 runs & 3 wickets in 7 matches, SR: 188.57, Economy: 11.00
8. Nuwan Thushara (Sri Lanka) – INR 1.60 crore
   • Role: Fast Bowler
   • IPL Stats (2024): 8 wickets in 7 matches, Economy: 10.31, Best: 3/42
9. Devdutt Padikkal (India) – INR 2 crore
   • Role: Batsman
   • IPL Stats: 1,108 runs in 35 matches, SR: 123.66, Highest: 101*
10. Jacob Bethell (England) – INR 2.60 crore
    • Role: All-rounder
    • IPL Stats: Yet to debut
11. Swapnil Singh (India) – INR 50 lakh
    • Role: All-rounder (Spin)
    • IPL Stats: 7 wickets in 13 matches, Economy: 8.62, Best: 2/23
12. Manoj Bhandage (India) – INR 30 lakh
    • Role: All-rounder
    • IPL Stats: Yet to debut significantly
13. Swastik Chikara (India) – INR 30 lakh
    • Role: Batsman
    • IPL Stats: Yet to debut
14. Lungi Ngidi (South Africa) – INR 50 lakh
    • Role: Fast Bowler
    • IPL Stats: 25 wickets in 14 matches, Economy: 8.33, Best: 4/10
15. Abhinandan Singh (India) – INR 30 lakh
    • Role: Fast Bowler
    • IPL Stats: Yet to debut
16. Mohit Rathee (India) – INR 30 lakh
    • Role: All-rounder
    • IPL Stats: 2 wickets in 3 matches, Economy: 12.00

RCB Squad Strengths for IPL 2025

RCB’s squad for IPL 2025 is one of their most balanced in recent years, addressing past weaknesses while amplifying their strengths. Here’s what stands out:

1. Explosive Batting Lineup:
   With Virat Kohli (8,004 IPL runs) anchoring the innings and Phil Salt (SR: 182.00 in 2024) providing fireworks at the top, RCB’s batting is a force. Add Liam Livingstone’s power-hitting (SR: 164.74) and Jitesh Sharma’s finishing skills (SR: 147.10), and they’re primed for big totals at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
2. Revamped Bowling Attack:
   Historically a weak spot, RCB’s bowling looks lethal this time. Josh Hazlewood (economy: 8.02) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (181 wickets) bring experience, while Yash Dayal and Rasikh Dar add youthful pace. Suyash Sharma’s leg-spin (15 wickets in 17 matches) offers variety.
3. All-round Depth:
   Krunal Pandya (75 wickets, 1,652 runs), Romario Shepherd, and Jacob Bethell provide flexibility. This depth allows RCB to adapt to different match situations, whether they need extra batting or bowling options.
4. Leadership Transition:
   Rajat Patidar, with a stellar IPL strike rate of 153.30, steps into the captaincy role. His aggressive batting and familiarity with the franchise could inspire a fresh approach.

Key Signings to Watch in IPL 2025

RCB’s auction strategy targeted players to plug gaps and boost their title chances. Here are the standout signings:

1. Josh Hazlewood (INR 12.50 crore):
   The Australian pacer returns to RCB, bringing his knack for PowerPlay wickets (economy: 8.02) and death-over precision. His 47 IPL wickets make him the spearhead of this attack.
2. Phil Salt (INR 11.50 crore):
   After a blistering IPL 2024 with KKR (435 runs, SR: 182.00), Salt joins RCB as a dynamic opener and wicketkeeper. His aggressive starts could complement Kohli perfectly.
3. Liam Livingstone (INR 8.75 crore):
   A middle-order powerhouse, Livingstone’s 939 IPL runs at a strike rate of 164.74 add muscle. His off-spin (11 wickets) is a bonus on spin-friendly tracks.
4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (INR 10.75 crore):
   With 181 IPL wickets, Bhuvneshwar’s swing bowling strengthens RCB’s new-ball and death-over options. His experience could be a game-changer.
5. Jitesh Sharma (INR 11 crore):
   A proven finisher (SR: 147.10), Jitesh offers versatility as a wicketkeeper-batsman, reducing reliance on overseas players in the XI.

Projected Playing XI for IPL 2025

Here’s a likely RCB XI, assuming all players are fit:

1. Phil Salt (wk)
2. Virat Kohli
3. Rajat Patidar (c)
4. Liam Livingstone
5. Jitesh Sharma
6. Krunal Pandya
7. Tim David
8. Josh Hazlewood
9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
10. Yash Dayal
11. Suyash Sharma

Impact Player Options: Rasikh Dar, Romario Shepherd, or Devdutt Padikkal.

Can RCB Win IPL 2025?

RCB’s IPL 2025 squad ticks many boxes: a explosive top order, a robust middle order, and a versatile bowling unit. Their success will hinge on Patidar’s captaincy, the form of overseas stars like Hazlewood and Salt, and how well their bowlers perform at the high-scoring Chinnaswamy Stadium. After years of near-misses, this could be the season RCB finally lifts the trophy.

Conclusion

The RCB full squad for IPL 2025 combines star power with strategic depth, making them one of the teams to watch. With Kohli’s consistency, Salt’s aggression, and a bolstered bowling lineup featuring Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar, RCB have the tools to dominate. What are your thoughts on this squad? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned for IPL 2025 updates!

Keywords: RCB IPL 2025 squad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru players, Virat Kohli stats, Josh Hazlewood signing, Phil Salt IPL 2025, RCB strengths, IPL 2025 auction. – Diara Bhumi News