5 Karnataka players RCB should target in IPL 2025 Auction ft. Abhinav Manohar
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made a dramatic turnaround to enter the playoffs in the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, they once again fell short of laying their hands on the trophy, that has eluded them since the inception of the league.
The Bengaluru-based franchise has come close to winning the title thrice, making it to the finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016, but have faced heartbreaking defeats on all occasions.
Come the 2025 season, RCB will look for a fresh start in its quest for a maiden title. Ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, the franchise made just three retentions in the form of Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar and Yash Dayal.
It is possible that the team could be eyeing a major overhaul, going into the auction with a significant purse and an open mind. However, over the years, a criticism that the franchise has faced is the non-inclusion of local players in the squad.
Their squad for the 2024 season has just two Karnataka players - Vyshak Vijaykumar and Manoj Bhandage, both of whom have been released. Given RCB's poor win record at their home ground - the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, an influx of more local players into the squad could help them take advantage of the conditions and script a change in fortunes.
While the likes of KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, and Karun Nair are some big names, several other Karnataka players have put up solid performances in the recent past. Here are five such names that RCB should target in the upcoming auction besides the well-known lads.
5 Karnataka players RCB should target in IPL 2025 Auction
#5 Vyshak Vijaykumar
Karnataka pacer Vyshak Vijaykumar was a part of RCB in IPL 2023 and 2024. He has picked up 13 wickets across both seasons for the franchise. Vyshak was called into the side after a strong showing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he was the joint fifth-highest wicket-taker.
He had a decent Maharaja Trophy 2024 season for the Gulbarga Mystics and was awarded a place in India's squad on their recent tour to South Africa for the T20I series. Vyshak is also capable of delivering some lusty blows down the order with the bat and a homecoming should be on the cards.
#4 Shreyas Gopal
Seasoned campaigner and an experienced leg-spinner, Shreyas Gopal could be the solution to RCB's weak spin attack, which was evident last season. While they will look to bring Yuzvendra Chahal back, local boy Gopal could be another similar option.
Gopal has played 97 T20s and has picked up 110 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 7.60. He has played 52 IPL games and has bagged as many wickets. Gopal is also more than handy with the bat, bringing more value to the team.
#3 Shubhang Hegde
A rising star from Karnataka, all-rounder Shubhang Hegde is another exciting prospect RCB should have their eyes on. The spin-bowling all-rounder put up some phenomenal performances in the 2024 Maharaja Trophy while playing for the Bengaluru Blasters.
He picked up 14 wickets with the ball and also scored 201 runs at a strike-rate of 151.12. In a match against the Shivamogga Lions at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Hegde smashed an unbeaten 85 off just 41 deliveries, helping the Blasters chase down a mammoth target of 228 runs after they were reduced to 59/4 at one stage.
#2 LR Kumar
At one time in the IPL, RCB had Karnataka pacers in the squad such as Vinay Kumar, Abhimanyu Mithun, and Sreenath Aravind. The Bengaluru franchise could look to include at least two local pacers and LR Kumar could partner with Vyshak.
Playing for the Hubli Tigers in the 2024 Maharaja Trophy, right-arm pacer LR Kumar emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 17 scalps from just nine matches at an average of 17.23. The young 23-year-old pacer could certainly be a long-term prospect for the Bengaluru franchise.
#1 Abhinav Manohar
On the back of some impressive performances in domestic cricket, Abhinav Manohar made it to the IPL, when he was signed by the Gujarat Titans in 2022. In whatever opportunities he was presented with, Manohar showed glimpses of his abilities with some crucial knocks at the backend of the innings.
However, come the Maharaja Trophy 2024, the 30-year-old batter truly came into his own, ending as the second-highest run-getter in the tournament with 507 runs at an average of 84.50 and a strike-rate of 196.51 with six half-centuries. Abhinav can play the role of a finisher perfectly should RCB bring him into the squad.