RCB finalize star-studded squad for IPL 2025 with 19 new signings

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) welcomed the Class of 2025 as the two-day IPL Mega Auction concluded in Jeddah on Monday.

A little over INR 80 Crore was spent by RCB across the two days in signing 19 players, the list of which was headlined by three of the biggest buys in Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood (INR 12.5 Cr) and the wicket-keeper duo of Phil Salt (INR 11.5 Cr) and Jitesh Sharma (INR 11 Cr).

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s homecoming to RCB for INR 10.75 Cr was a much-celebrated affair in addition to the signing of all-round firepower in Englishman Liam Livingstone, who was roped in for INR 8 Cr from the marquee set on Day 1.

Livingstone is one among the high-profile all-rounders signed by RCB, a stacked department that features the seasoned likes of Krunal Pandya (INR 5.75 Cr), Tim David (INR 3 Cr), Jacob Bethell (INR 2.6 Cr), Romario Shepherd (INR 1.5 Cr) and Swapnil Singh, who was re-signed by RCB via RTM for INR 50 lakh.

One among the other big buys for RCB was that of upcoming pace sensation Rasikh Dar, who the franchise signed for INR 6 Cr. Dar turned heads in the Emerging Asia Cup where he bowled up front and at the death for India, and his expertise could come to good use for the team.

Another youngster’s expertise that could bolster the batting unit is that of Devdutt Padikkal, who the franchise signed again for INR 2 Cr in the accelerated auction. Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara (INR 1.6 Cr) and Lungi Ngidi (INR 1 Cr) rounded up the overseas contingent for RCB, who also went on to add some domestic talents to the squad by raising the paddle successfully for Manoj Bhandage (INR 30L), Swastik Chhikara (INR 30L), Abhinandan Singh (INR 30L) and Mohit Rathee (INR 30L), all of whom joined exciting leggie Suyash Sharma (INR 2.6 Cr) as the uncapped players in the squad.

RCB’s squad for IPL 2025-27:

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