"Played the waiting game even though they had a lot of money" - Ravichandran Ashwin assesses RCB's IPL 2025 auction performance
Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) did a fantastic job at the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. He suggested that the franchise wasn't impatient, despite having a big purse.
The Bengaluru-based side entered the two-day auction with a purse of ₹83 crore, the second-biggest among the teams. Ashwin praised the RCB think tank for playing the 'waiting game' and not going all out for high-profile players right from the start.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said (from 0:25):
"I personally think they had a terrific auction. They balanced it well and waited it out. Many teams came into this auction with many crores in their purses. They all came blazing right in the front. RCB played the waiting game even though they had a lot of money."
Ashwin opined that Bengaluru have built a formidable bowling attack by roping in experienced campaigners like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. He added (from 11:53):
"The reason why I said their team is looking very good this year is because Hazlewood, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and (Yash) Dayal. They have invested in bowling outstandingly. Their bowling is looking gun."
Bengaluru purchased a total of 19 players at the IPL 2025 auction. Some of their noteworthy picks were Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Krunal Pandya, Liam Livingstone and Lungi Ngidi.
"I don't think it has been confirmed yet, but he will be the captain" - AB de Villiers backs Virat Kohli to lead RCB in IPL 2025
RCB are in search of a new captain after parting ways with former skipper Faf du Plessis. Virat Kohli, who relinquished the team's captaincy in 2021, appears to be the frontrunner for the leadership role.
Former South African and RCB batter AB de Villiers recently opined that Kohli will be the skipper for IPL 2025. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said (via The Hindustan Times):
"I don't think it has been confirmed yet, but he will be the captain, I think, looking at the squad. We got Bhuvneshwar Kumar, happy with Josh Hazlewood. We did miss out on a couple here and there. Rabada was close, but at least we got Lungi Ngidi. He's got a wonderful slower ball, if he is in form and fit, he is a force to be reckoned with."
Bengaluru qualified for the IPL 2024 playoffs, finishing fourth in the points table in the league stage. However, their campaign ended with a heartbreaking four-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator.