3 players released by RCB who could fit in perfectly at MI in IPL 2025 ft. Glenn Maxwell
Over the years, a number of players have represented both the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. Even ahead of the 2024 season, a high-profile trade involving Cameron Green was carried out by the two teams.
The likes of Tim David, Dinesh Karthik, Quinton de Kock, Zaheer Khan and Yuzvendra Chahal have donned both the red and the blue in the past. With players being shunted around franchises in the yearly auctions, it won't be a surprise to see more names make the switch.
RCB retained only three players ahead of IPL 2024 - Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar and Yash Dayal. While MI's core is relatively set, with them having retained five Indian players, there are a number of players released by Bengaluru who could make the shift to the Wankhede Stadium to great effect.
On that note, here are three players released by RCB who could fit in perfectly at MI in IPL 2025:
#3 Glenn Maxwell
A player who has featured for MI before, Glenn Maxwell could fit right into the franchise's middle order in IPL 2025. Whether the five-time champions will be able to afford the Aussie is a question, but if they are keen on him, they could sign him to add some power to an already exciting middle order.
What makes this possible is the fact that MI have four overseas slots to spare in their XI, with top-order picks already led by Rohit Sharma. If Maxwell can combine well with Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, the Indians might win a number of their matches on batting depth alone.
#2 Reece Topley
MI are known to love their left-arm pacers, particularly ones who can break games open in the powerplay. The likes of Trent Boult, Mitchell McClenaghan, Jason Behrendorff, Kwena Maphaka and Luke Wood have represented the franchise in recent years.
A bowler who fits that profile is Reece Topley. Currently injured, the Englishman should be fit by the time the IPL rolls around. And although he didn't make a great impact for RCB in 2024, he could be a useful bowler in the powerplay at the Wankhede Stadium.
Given their budget, MI might not be able to target bowlers like Boult and Spencer Johnson. They could instead turn their eyes to Topley, who has a good amount of experience in T20 cricket and a fairly versatile skillset.
#1 Akash Deep
MI will need Indian pacers who can partner Jasprit Bumrah, and the top tier of available options won't be within their price range. An Indian international who might be within their budget, however, is Akash Deep.
A quality seam bowler who's skiddy and can move the ball in both directions, Deep could turn out to be a useful powerplay option. His height and pace may also allow MI to use him in the middle overs, although he isn't quite a reliable death-bowling contender.
Deep's lower-order hitting ability may also prove useful for MI. They can't afford to be too picky in the Indian pace department, so the 27-year-old might be one of their better choices.