| Players Retained | Remaining Purse for Auction | RTM |
| 3 | 83 Crores | 3 |
Bengaluru, in their usual style, played bold at the retention by choosing to retain only three players and by releasing some big names into the auction pool. The retention of Virat Kohli was a no-brainer considering how closely the cricket star is linked to the team’s brand. Besides, Kohli has been prolific with the bat as well in the last couple of years opening the batting. Rajat Patidar has also solidified his credentials as a spin basher in the middle overs, a reward for which came in the form of retention ahead of the 2025 season. In a strategic move, Yash Dayal’s left arm pace got the nod over Mohd. Siraj who has spent a considerable amount of time at the franchise. However, with 3 Right To Match options left with the team as well as a big auction purse, it’s likely that the team would try to bring players who formed the team’s core back to the fold.
Only three retentions also point to the management’s desire to push the reset button again in search of the elusive title. The team will need to be built again almost from scratch, and unlike in the past, when they had some of the world’s best batters of the format to build the team around, this time they only have an aging Kohli and Patidar. While Kohli has retired from T20Is after Team India’s World Cup win in the Caribbean, Patidar’s credentials are largely based on his performances for Bengaluru and Madhya Pradesh, as he is nowhere close to the T20I setup at this point. Somewhat similar is the case of Yash Dayal, who has been called up for the national squad on multiple occasions but is yet to make his India debut. So, Bengaluru has clearly put big faith in the potential of these two cricketers. There is also the issue of captaincy that can determine some of the picks by Bengaluru at the auction. With Faf back in the auction pool, it remains unknown whether the franchise will go looking for a new skipper in the auction or whether they will give that responsibility to Virat Kohli, who relinquished that job at the end of 2021.
Bengaluru’s Auction Strategy ahead of IPL 2025
With a big budget available, the franchise can go after some of the marquee players in the auction and can also use the RTM card wisely to get some of the last season’s performers back in the side. Some of the possible acquisitions that can be made using the RTM for Bengaluru could be Mohd. Siraj, Glenn Maxwell and even Faf Du Plessis. Although the trophy still eluded them, the South African did a decent job with the team with two playoff positions in three seasons. More importantly, with Virat, Faf forged a fantastic partnership at the top and scored big runs during his time at the franchise. If Kohli decides to not accept captaincy duties, the RTM can be used for the 40-year-old South African, which will provide a sense of continuity in the batting as well as in the leadership department.
Here are some players who Bengaluru can target in the auction
Jake Fraser-McGurk – The young Australian opener was one of the standout performers for Delhi in 2024 and turned heads with his explosive batting at the top of the order. It was surprising for many Delhi fans to see Fraser-McGurk not get retained by the franchise. But that provides Bengaluru an opportunity to unleash the Australian on the batter’s paradise that is the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. It’s likely that the youngster might be in the plans of other teams as well, but Bengaluru also have a big purse and can go all out to acquire the services of the Aussie.
Yuzvendra Chahal – The leg spinner has a fantastic record at the Chinnaswamy and it surprised many when he was let go by Bengaluru ahead of the 2022 Auctions. The franchise can definitely benefit from Chahal’s return, for spin is one area where the team was found wanting in 2024 where they had to rely on the likes of Karn Sharma, Swapnil Singh and Mahipal Lomror.
KL Rahul – The batter has had a difficult last few years juggling captaincy and batting. However, it would be interesting to see if he can change his approach and play with greater freedom without the burdens of captaincy. He can be brought back to Bengaluru by the management who are trying to develop a stronger connection with their fanbase.
Josh Hazlewood – The Australian, who was for long pigeon-holed as a red ball specialist, has turned a corner in his career in the recent past by becoming an equally effective shorter formats bowler as well. His two stints with Chennai and then with Bengaluru gave ample evidence that he can lead a bowling attack even in Indian conditions. He picked 20 wickets in 12 matches for Bengaluru in 2022 and another three from three matches in 2023. On the placid tracks of Chinnaswamy, a bowler who has the skills to keep the batters quiet can prove to be invaluable.
Liam Livingstone – If the franchise are unable to hold on to Glenn Maxwell, who had a torrid season with the bat in 2024, and want a like for like replacement, Livingstone presents them an opportunity. The English middle order batter has shown some great form in 2024 with whirlwind knocks against Australia and West Indies and also seems to have developed as a spinner. With Punjab deciding to release him, he is quite possibly going to fetch big numbers in the auctions. He can produce the fireworks at Chinnaswamy batting in Bengaluru’s middle order.
There are several players that Bengaluru can possibly plan to buy back a the auction including the big hitting English all-rounder Will Jacks, Swapnil Singh and fast bowler Akash Deep.
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