3 teams that should target Rachin Ravindra in IPL 2025 Auction ft. RCB
New Zealand batting all-rounder Rachin Ravindra will be among the most sought-after overseas players in the upcoming IPL 2025 auction. The 25-year-old has gone from strength to strength in his international career across formats over the past two years.
Ravindra appeared to be a steal for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) a season ago for ₹1.8 crores. However, the youngster struggled to live up to the billing in his maiden IPL season, finishing with only 222 runs in 10 outings at an average of 22.20 and a strike rate of 160.87.
Despite the sub-par numbers, Ravindra provided enough glimpses throughout the season of a cricketer who will only continue to evolve. And the recent Test series in India would have only made the ten IPL franchises circle his name harder.
Having showcased his uncanny ability to play an anchor role or attack pace and spin in equal measure in Tests and ODIs, Ravindra would look to complete a full circle in the IPL.
With a base price of ₹1.5 crores for the IPL 2025 auction, Ravindra will be a hot property among the teams in the two-day event.
As he turns 25 today (November 18), here are three teams who must target the Kiwi youngster in the IPL 2025 Mega auction.
#1 Royal Challengers Bengaluru
![Ravindra has enjoyed incredible success with the bat at Chinnaswamy stadium [Credit: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/6c316-17319269017797-1920.jpg?w=500)
The entire cricketing world knows about Rachin Ravindra's Bengaluru origin and his connection with the city. The youngster has often spoken about his love for Bengaluru and the joy of playing at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Ravindra could be the ideal scenario of both the player and the franchise benefitting equally. The franchise is still searching for its elusive IPL title and retained three Indian players - Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal.
Ravindra has flourished in his three international appearances at Bengaluru, scoring a century in the 2023 ODI World Cup against Pakistan and more recently in the first Test against India. Imagine the Kiwi sensation opening the batting with Virat Kohli at the Chinnaswamy stadium.
The duo could also be the ideal opening combination, thanks to the right-left dynamic and their contrasting batting styles. All of this makes Ravindra a no-brainer choice for RCB as one of their first overseas players in the auction.
#2 Chennai Super Kings
While the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might have not named Rachin Ravindra as part of their retentions, it doesn't signal the end between him and the franchise. It might have been the classic case of the side attempting to buy back the Kiwi star at a lower price at the auction through the Right-To-Match (RTM) card.
Having already built a strong middle-order core of Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, and MS Dhoni with their retentions, acquiring Rachin Ravindra to partner with Ruturaj Gaikwad or bat at one-drop will all but complete their batting lineup.
Although used for only two overs by new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad with the ball last season, Ravindra's left-arm spin could also come in handy on the sluggish Chepauk pitch in 2025.
He boasts an outstanding record with the ball in T20Is, picking up 13 wickets at an average of 19.69 and an economy of 6.40. Hence, a second season of CSK and Ravindra could be the ideal match made in IPL heaven.
#3 Punjab Kings
It is clear with the retentions made that the Punjab Kings (PBKS) are starting from scratch for an umpteenth time in their tormented IPL history. The franchise missed the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season in 2024 and began its rebuild by retaining only the uncapped duo of Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh.
Considering their approach of possibly going young, it makes complete sense to go all-out for Rachin Ravindra. At 25 and rapidly growing in performance and stature by the day, the rising Kiwi star could enjoy the true pace and bounce at Mohali or Dharamsala, similar to home conditions.
The bigger boundary size in Mohali could also bring Ravindra's part-time spin bowling more into the equation. Ravindra also seems to have excellent winning intangibles and mentality, going by his ability to rise to the occasion in big tournaments like the World Cup and India Tests, something PBKS as a franchise has lacked seemingly forever.