4 Uttar Pradesh cricketers who are a part of RCB for IPL 2025 ft. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
The Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25. Record money was spent in the auction, with Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer becoming the two most expensive players in the auction's history.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who are yet to win the IPL title, bought some utility players besides retaining the likes of Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. They didn't spend outrageous sums on any particular player but still managed to form a side capable of winning the tournament.
The team management wanted to build from scratch and bought some local players. Uttar Pradesh, a strong side on the domestic circuit, will see as many as four players in the RCB squad for the upcoming IPL.
The team looks solid on paper but RCB have failed to win the title despite having some top-class teams in the past. The team management and the coaches will hope the team they have made for the 2025 season go on to lift the title.
With that let us have a look at four players from Uttar Pradesh who will represent RCB in the upcoming edition of the IPL:
#1 Swastik Chikara
The young 19-year-old batter from Uttar Pradesh was snapped up by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the mega auction for his base price of ₹30 lakh. The teenager was part of the Delhi Capitals squad in 2024 but the franchise released him ahead of the auction.
He plays for the Meerut Mavericks in the UP T20 League and made a name for himself in that tournament. The scouts spotted him smashing towering sixes and will be hopeful of getting a game for RCB after warming the bench for DC in the previous season.
Chikara is a massive Virender Sehwag fan and credits the former swashbuckling Indian opener for contributing to his style of play. His main aim will be to break into the playing XI and make his presence felt.
However, Chikara hasn’t been in the greatest of forms lately with a string of low scores in the last five games.
#2 Abhinandan Singh
Right-arm medium pacer Abhinandan Singh broke into the scene with brilliant spells in the UP T20 League. He was bought by RCB in the mega auction for his base price of ₹30 lakh.
He is unlikely to get an opportunity in the playing XI but exposure he will get through this tournament will help him grow as a player immensely. Abhinandan can hit the deck and can generate swing and seam movement.
He has some good slower deliveries up his sleeve and will look to hone his skills under the watchful guidance of players like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. Abhinandan has yet to play a first-class game but now will get an opportunity to run shoulders with some of the best in the world.
#3 Yash Dayal
Another Uttar Pradesh bowler who will be part of the RCB squad is Yash Dayal, their best bowler in the 2024 edition. From losing weight and falling ill after getting hammered by Rinku Singh in a 2023 IPL game to becoming one of the released players for RCB, his journey has been inspirational.
The RCB management showed faith in his abilities after buying him before the 2024 season. The Gujarat Titans released him after a poor performance in 2023 but he turned the tables around with a stellar performance for RCB in 2024.
He bagged 15 wickets and bowled a dramatic final over against CSK in a must-win tie to help his side reach the playoffs.
#4 Bhuvneshwar Kumar
He might be at the twilight of his career but Bhuvneshwar Kumar is an out-and-out match-winner who still can run through any batting lineup on his day. He was released by the SunRisers Hyderabad ahead of the 2025 season. RCB bought the Uttar Pradesh bowler for ₹10.75 crore.
Interestingly, RCB only raised the paddle once on ₹10.75 crore to acquire his services. The Mumbai Indians started the bid on his base price of ₹2 crore and a fierce bidding war with the Lucknow Supergiants. However, RCB came from nowhere and managed to buy the experienced campaigner.
Bhuvneshwar has been one of the stand-out bowlers in the IPL. He has been a legend for the SunRisers Hyderabad and has played an integral part in their success.
Bhuvneshwar had a below-par campaign in 2024 which led to his release. Getting an opportunity for a new franchise might help Bhuvneshwar revive his career at the top level.