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IPL 2025: As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) keeps IPL franchises in suspense over the retention policy for the 2025 mega auction teams are actively strategizing for their squads. Reports indicate that BCCI may permit the retention of only six players including Right To Match complicating decisions for the ten franchises. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) who enjoyed an impressive playoff run last season face significant choices in finalizing their retention list. A pivotal decision looms whether to retain their captain Faf du Plessis. This choice will undoubtedly impact the team dynamics and future strategies as they look to build on last season success.
5 Players RCB are likely to retain ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction:
Virat Kohli:Undoubtedly the No. 1 pick for the franchise. Virat Kohli might have retired from T20 internationals but still has a lot to offer to his franchise. He was the top-scoring batter in the IPL 2024 season with 741 runs to his name. There’s no way RCB would even think about letting him go.
Mohammed Siraj:Unarguably the finest pacer in the team for RCB Siraj is one of the core members of the franchise alongside Kohli. Though his performance last season was up to the mark the franchise is still likely to show faith in him.
Yash Dayal:His arrival at RCB from Gujarat Titans had become a big talking point but Dayal proved the doubters wrong, proving to be an important asset in the RCB arsenal. Since the conclusion of the 2024 season, Dayal has gone on to impress even the national selectors becoming a key next-gen star who could be in line to make his India debut soon.
Rajat Patidar:A solid middle-order batter Rajat Patidar has been a revelation for RCB over the last few years. He is all but certain to keep his place in the roster and doesn’t even face much competition from others in the squad for his spot.
Will Jacks:With Glenn Maxwell being off-coloured Will Jacks is likely to partner Cameron Green for the two overseas spots in the team. Though it might not be possible for RCB to keep both Green and Jacks in the retention list if they are to keep hold of Dayal.
Likely to Miss Out:
Cameron Green:The Australian all-rounder is a rare commodity in the sport. Since his arrival at the franchise Green hasn’t set the stage on fire. This is one of the reasons why RCB might decide to release him.
Faf du Plessis:RCB might just decide to retain 5 players and assemble the rest of the squad in the auction. But if they decide to retain a 6th player Du Plessis faces competition from Green for the spot.
Sell Virat Kohli, Play MS Dhoni and Bench Rohit Sharma : Cricket Greats Reveal Tough Choices
In a recent episode of the Club Prairie Fire podcast cricket legends Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan tackled a challenging hypothetical scenario. who to start bench or sell among Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma and Mahendra Singh Dhoni for their own franchise. The discussion sure to spark debate among fans revealed some surprising insights from Vaughan.
Vaughan chose to start MS Dhoni citing his unparalleled leadership and experience. No one has been better,” he asserted emphasizing Dhoni success as a captain. Vaughan argued that while Kohli is a brilliant player he hasn’t won an IPL title which puts him at a disadvantage compared to Rohit Sharma and Dhoni. who have both led their teams to victory multiple times. Dhoni boasts five IPL titles with Chennai Super Kings while Rohit has six with Mumbai Indians.
For his bench Vaughan opted for Rohit Sharma recognizing him as a strong backup to Dhoni. Gilchrist echoed Vaughan sentiments suggesting that selling Kohli could also benefit the franchise financially. You’d get a good price for Virat,” he remarked to which Vaughan agreed highlighting the lucrative potential of trading Kohli. It’s good business I can get a load of cash for him Vaughan added underscoring the practical side of team management.
Gilchrist and Vaughan both acknowledged the difficulty of their choices. It’s a tough call on all but that’s the job of a manager Gilchrist stated reflecting on the complexities of team composition and strategy. As the IPL mega auction for the 2025 season approaches discussions about player retention are heating up. The futures of these cricketing icons remain uncertain specially for Dhoni. whose retention by Chennai Super Kings hinges on the number of players they can keep. Reports suggest that the franchise’s decision on Dhoni could be influenced by the overall retention rules set by the BCCI.
In conclusion Vaughan choices illustrate the intricate balance between individual talent and team success in cricket. The discussion between these cricket greats not only highlights their deep understanding of the game but also sets the stage for an exciting IPL auction ahead. where franchises will need to make tough decisions about their star players.
R Ashwin Blunt Reply On Virat Kohli vs Jasprit Bumrah Fitness Debate
Indian cricket fans have found themselves embroiled in a lively debate following Jasprit Bumrah choice of the fittest cricketer in the team. In a recent interaction Bumrah chose himself over Virat Kohli stating he wanted to highlight the importance of fast bowlers. This declaration ignited a fervor among fans of both players.
Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin weighed in on the controversy urging fans not to overreact. On his new YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat he defended Bumrah referring to him as the crown jewel of Indian cricket akin to the Kohinoor diamond. Ashwin pointed out the unique pressures fast bowlers face saying Bumrah is a fast bowler who bowls at 145 km/h in this heat. Just accept his perspective.
He elaborated on the challenges of fast bowling, using an analogy to compare a fast bowler to a high-maintenance vehicle. A Mercedes Benz needs to be handled with care a tipper lorry may break down at times Ashwin explained. He emphasized that despite the stresses of fast bowling Bumrah has returned to form and performed impressively.
In the background of this debate India dominance continues on the international stage having secured a commanding 280-run victory over Bangladesh. This win solidified India position at the top of the World Test Championship table with a percentage of 71.67% extending their lead over Australia. who stands at 62.50%. Meanwhile Bangladesh dropped to sixth place after the defeat following a brief surge to fourth after a notable series win against Pakistan.
