Royal Challengers Bengaluru: IPL 2025 Preview

Where they finished last year

Royal Challengers Bengaluru finished fourth on the points table after what could be truly called an IPL 2024 of two halves. Losing seven out of their first eight games, they were going nowhere. However, an inspiring turnaround saw them win six games on the trot to just about grab a playoff spot. However, it was not for RCB. They were knocked out by Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator.

What’s new in IPL 2025

Rajat Patidar being named as the skipper of the side marks a substantial change. The team management did not go after the big names of the likes of KL Rahul, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Rishabh Pant. This behavior was quite a refreshing shift from their previous tendencies of going over the top on big-ticket players.

The inclusion of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood seems to be quite a wise decision. Their English additions of Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Jacob Bethell offer a renewed dose of firepower. The inclusion of Krunal Pandya and Jitesh Sharma only adds to the squad’s batting depth.

Watch out for

The balance that Bethell brings to RCB’s structure is quite supreme. He can do it all – hit big, bowl handy left-arm spin, and be a live wire on the field. Having debuted in all three formats for England last year, time will tell the spice Bethell will add to the highly-anticipated tournament.

Another player worth monitoring is Rasikh Salam. The 24-year-old pace bowler has a deceiving back-of-the-hand slower ball and improved variations in his armour. He has also added a touch of lower-order hitting skills over the past several months.

Full squad

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

Probable XII

Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jacob Bethell/Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam