As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is scheduled to begin on March 22, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are preparing with a new-look team under captain Rajat Patidar. The franchise hopes to finally win their first-ever IPL title after repeatedly falling short over the years.
RCB’s strongest playing XI for the IPL 2025 season:
1. Virat Kohli
- Role: Top-order batter
- Description: One of the greatest IPL batsmen ever, with his consistency and big-scoring ability. Kohli has been the rock of RCB’s batting unit for years now, with a career IPL average of 38.67 and more than 8,000 runs.
- Impact: His experience and leadership skills are priceless to the team.
2. Phil Salt
- Role: Opening batter and wicketkeeper
- Description: Aggressive hitter, Salt has the potential to give explosive opening starts to RCB’s innings. His wicket-keeping abilities make him a versatile asset to the team.
- Impact: His aggressive play can set the tone for the batting of RCB.
3. Rajat Patidar
- Role: Middle-order batter and captain
- Description: Patidar has demonstrated his capability to play match-winning innings under pressure. As the new captain, he will be required to lead by example and stabilize the middle order.
- Impact: His batting and leadership skills will be vital in leading RCB out of tough situations.
4. Liam Livingstone
- Role: All-rounder
- Description: Livingstone is a powerful hitter who can also contribute with his off-spin bowling. His ability to play match-winning innings and take crucial wickets makes him a valuable asset.
- Impact: His all-round skills provide balance to the team and can change the course of a match.
5. Jitesh Sharma
- Role: Wicketkeeper-batter
- Description: Jitesh is known for his aggressive batting style and can play crucial roles in the middle order. His wicketkeeping skills add depth to the team.
- Impact: His ability to accelerate the innings in the middle overs can be pivotal.
6. Tim David
- Role: Lower-middle order batter
- Description: David is a forceful hitter famous for finishing innings in the most effective way. His availability at the lower end of the batting line can flip games with his destructive batting.
- Impact: His batting ability has the capacity to turn matches in the last overs.
7. Krunal Pandya
- Role: All-rounder
- Description: Krunal is an excellent left-arm spinner who is capable of offering the added advantage with his batting too. His expertise in coping with pressure conditions renders him invaluable.
- Impact: His well-rounded skills bring balance and strength to the team.
8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Role: Fast bowler
- Description: Bhuvneshwar is a seasoned seamer who has a knack for picking early wickets and maintaining intensity in the death overs. His leadership of the bowling unit will be vital.
- Impact: His experience and expertise can set the tone for RCB’s bowling unit.
9. Yash Dayal
- Role: Fast bowler
- Description: Dayal is a young right-arm fast bowler who can bowl well during the death overs. His accuracy and pace are important in restraining opposition teams.
- Impact: His death bowling capabilities can prove crucial in tight encounters.
10. Josh Hazlewood
- Role: Fast bowler
- Description: Hazlewood is a seasoned international fast bowler with experience across conditions. His knack of taking wickets early on and his economical bowling make him an asset.
- Impact: His overseas exposure and ability can bolster RCB’s bowling attack.
11. Suyash Sharma
- Role: Spinner
- Description: Suyash is a front-line spinner who can deliver life-changing breakthroughs in the middle overs. His capacity to manage the runs and pick wickets is vital.
- Impact: His spin bowling can be the difference-maker in managing the scoring rate of the opposition.
Also READ: “Whenever I face, it’s like…” – Virat Kohli names the toughest bowler he has ever faced
Impact player options for RCB
1. Devdutt Padikkal
- Position: Batter
- Description: Padikkal is a talented batter capable of steadying the innings if the situation arises. His capability to play long innings can prove to be vital in particular circumstances.
- Impact: His batting ability is capable of offering solidity and depth to RCB’s team.
2. Swapnil Singh
- Role: All-rounder
- Description: Swapnil is a left-arm spin bowling all-rounder who has the ability to offer lower-order hitting and vital wickets. His flexibility is his strength, making him a worth impact player.
- Impact: His capability of delivering with bat as well as ball can be a game-changer in particular match situations.
3. Rasikh Salam Dar
- Role: Fast bowler
- Description: Dar is a fast bowler who has the ability to capitalize on early movement of the ball on the pitch. His speed and aggression can be helpful in taking early wickets.
- Impact: His capability to take early wickets may shift the trajectory of a match.
