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Ranking RCB's 5 best buys in IPL 2025 Auction ft. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The IPL 2025 mega auction came to a conclusion after a couple of exciting days in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25. All teams sport newfound looks of sort, and it is enthralling to see a lot of players being purchased by new teams.

While the former is true, many players, such as Ravichandran Ashwin, were brought back to the fold by his former team Chennai Super Kings, from where his IPL career took birth. This was heartening to see as well.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the perennially almost-there franchise, had a decent run at the auction although most of their significant purchases came on the second day. They almost let Day 1 of the auction go by without notice.

They spent big money on the likes of overseas stars Phil Salt (INR11.50 crores), Josh Hazlewood (INR 12.50 crores) and Liam Livingstone (INR 8 crores) while wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma was their highest-paid Indian player for INR 11 crores.

In this listicle, we take a look at the five best buys for RCB in the auction.


#5 Josh Hazlewood

Josh Hazlewood is one of the finest buys RCB have made at this auction. They had to battle hard to get him, but for INR 12.50 crores, the Australian seamer is a good purchase for RCB. Given his ability to constantly hit the right areas at all times, RCB will be keen on making the most of his presence in their squad.

While Lucknow Super Giants started the bidding war for Hazlewood, things picked up pace after Kolkata Knight Riders joined the race. RCB joined in during the INR 8 crore mark, and although LSG kept it going till the 9.5 crore mark, they were beaten to it by Mumbai Indians, who took it up to 10.25 crores.

Ultimately, however, RCB edged MI out to bring Hazlewood back to their side after he played decisive roles for them over the last couple of seasons. Although he picked up 20 wickets in the 2022 season, he could not play much of the 2023 campaign, and ended with three scalps in as many matches.


#4 Phil Salt

Phil Salt of England keeps his eye on the ball during the 1st Vitality T20 International at Utilita Bowl on September 11, 2024 in Southampton, England.
Phil Salt of England keeps his eye on the ball during the 1st Vitality T20 International at Utilita Bowl on September 11, 2024 in Southampton, England.

English opener-wicketkeeper Phil Salt, who is renowned for his six-hitting ability, was purchased by RCB for the princely sum of INR 11.50 crores. MI started bidding for him at his base price of INR 2 crores, but were soon matched by RCB.

These two franchises kept it for a long time before Salt's previous team Kolkata Knight Riders joined in the race during the 4.40 crore mark. From then on, it was only a lasting fight between KKR and RCB.

The latter eventually edged the former out, and attained Salt's services. The 28-year-old played a vital role in KKR's title-winning campaign last season with 435 runs at a strike rate of 185, and RCB will hope that he can recreate his form with them.


#3 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, formerly of Sunrisers Hyderabad, comes third on this list. The UP and India seamer's departure from Hyderabad marks the end of an era as he had faithfully served the franchise since the 2014 edition of the tournament.

RCB, however, will hope to make good use of Bhuvneshwar's ability with the new ball in hand. He has also increased his variations with the old ball, and is often seen strutting around with some mean cutters and slower deliveries.

MI started bidding for the 34-year-old but were soon overtaken by LSG. These franchises kept at it for a long time, and LSG even thought that they had bagged him for 10.50 crores, but RCB came in and took him home in a single swoop at 10.75 crores.


#2 Rasikh Dar Salam

Young pacer Rasikh Dar was one of the surprise purchases made by RCB in this auction given that he has not been around the tournament many times. Although the Kashmiri seamer was first picked up by MI as a seventeen-year-old in 2019, he has only been a part of two more IPL campaigns ever since.

RCB and SRH started bidding for Dar in this auction, and the former soon upped the price to INR 2 crore, where the Hyderabad-based franchise said goodbye. The Delhi Capitals used their right-to-match card at 2 crores, but RCB seemed relentless and picked him up for 6 crores. Dar recently picked up nine wickets for India A in the Emerging Asia Cup.


#1 Liam Livingstone

Liam Livingstone has to be the best purchase for RCB in this auction. The English middle-order hitter is a key player for any team he represents in franchise cricket, and the Bengalureans will be keen on getting the best out of him.

RCB will also consider that the INR 8 crores they shelled out for the 31-year-old is good value for money, as many people across the world would feel that he could have breached the 10 crore mark quite comfortably.

SRH, DC and Chennai Super Kings bid for Livingstone alongside RCB, but the latter were able to pip them out in the end. Unfortunately, the Lancashire man did not have a good time with Punjab Kings last season, and could only score 111 runs in seven innings.

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