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One of the Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) standout performers in recent years, veteran leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal wasn’t retained by the franchise for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Joining Royals’ in 2022, Chahal had an immediate impact, playing three successful seasons and firmly establishing himself as a crucial player in their bowling unit.
Impressive performances in the IPL
Chahal’s 2022 season with RR was exceptional, as he claimed 27 wickets across 17 matches, showcasing his ability to control games with his variations and accuracy. He followed this with another strong performance in 2023, securing 21 wickets. Although his 2024 season saw a slight dip with 18 wickets, his economy rate rose to 9.41, possibly influencing the Royals’ decision not to retain him as they looked toward younger talent.
Chahal’s potential impact in the 2025 auction
As the leading wicket-taker in IPL history with 205 scalps, Chahal’s experience and skill make him a valuable asset. Several franchises including the likes of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are expected to pursue him in the upcoming auction, looking to strengthen their spin-bowling lineups. His consistency and IPL pedigree make him an ideal candidate to lead a spin attack, and he could command a substantial bid as teams seek experienced bowlers to anchor their lineups in the upcoming season.
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3 reasons RCB may target Yuzvendra Chahal in the IPL 2025 auction
1. Proven Match-Winner at Chinnaswamy Stadium
Chahal has an exceptional track record at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where he stands as the highest wicket-taker in IPL history with 52 scalps at the venue. Despite the stadium’s reputation as a ‘graveyard for bowlers’ due to its high-scoring nature and short boundaries, Chahal’s remarkable ability to extract turn and control runs has made him a standout performer.
Having played with RCB for eight seasons before joining Royals, Chahal knows the Chinnaswamy pitch intricately, giving him an edge when it comes to both strategy and execution. His success at this venue can be attributed to his skill in adjusting his pace, especially his slower deliveries, which he uses to deceive batters on this batter-friendly pitch. With RCB often struggling with consistency in their spin attack, Chahal’s return could bring stability and firepower, giving them a reliable wicket-taking option at home.
2. Boost to Middle-Overs Wicket-Taking Ability
One of RCB’s recurring issues has been a lack of penetration in the middle overs, often allowing opposing batters to build dangerous partnerships. Chahal, known for his ability to consistently strike during these middle stages, could provide the perfect solution. Throughout his IPL career, Chahal has demonstrated his skill in breaking set partnerships by enticing batters with flight and tempting full-length deliveries, a high-risk yet high-reward approach.
He showcased this knack notably during his 2022 season with Royals, where he won the Purple Cap by taking 27 wickets and played a crucial role in RR’s journey to the finals. His mindset of taking calculated risks, even on difficult pitches, is exactly what RCB needs to build pressure during those crucial middle overs and prevent opposition from settling into long, match-defining stands.
3. Experience and Leadership in Spin Bowling
It was a surprising decision when RCB chose not to retain Chahal ahead of the 2022 season, despite him being one of their most dependable players. After joining RCB in 2014, Chahal quickly emerged as a key figure in their bowling lineup, finishing as the franchise’s leading wicket-taker with 139 wickets in 113 matches by the end of his stint.
His breakthrough season came in 2015 with 23 wickets, guiding RCB to the playoffs, followed by another stellar 21-wicket haul in 2016 as the team reached the finals. However, Royals capitalized on his availability, and Chahal didn’t disappoint, winning the Purple Cap in 2022 and helping the Royals finish as runners-up. In his three seasons with RR, Chahal took 66 wickets in 46 matches, rising to the second spot in the franchise’s all-time wicket-takers list.
