Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is one of the most popular and widely followed franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite their consistent efforts and strong performances over the past few seasons, they have yet to win the IPL trophy. Led by iconic players like Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, AB Devilliers and Faf du Plessis, RCB has had memorable seasons, but the pressure to deliver a title has grown with each passing year. The team has shown great promise but often fallen short in critical moments. After their disappointing exit in the Eliminator match against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024, RCB faces some tough decisions ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction.
With BCCI’s new retention policy and salary slot guidelines making it difficult for teams to retain all their key players, RCB will have to strategize carefully. Here’s a detailed breakdown of three key players RCB might consider releasing before the auction, along with the reasons behind these decisions:
1. Yash Dayal
Yash Dayal was brought into the RCB squad for a significant amount of ₹5 crores in the IPL 2024 auction. He made an immediate impact by becoming the highest wicket-taker for the team that season, grabbing 15 wickets. This is a good tally for a bowler playing his first season for the franchise. However, despite taking wickets, his overall performance in crucial moments such as the powerplay and death overs was not as effective. He leaked a considerable amount of runs during these high-pressure overs, which is reflected in his economy rate of 9.15.
The high number of runs conceded in such key overs makes it risky to invest more in Yash, even though he is still a growing talent. Although he has not yet made his debut for the Indian national team, he was selected for the squad during the Bangladesh series. However, RCB would need to spend around ₹11 crores to keep him, which might be too much considering the team’s budget limits. Letting him go could be a smarter option to allow RCB to strengthen other areas of the squad.
2. Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell has been a key player for RCB since he joined the team. In 52 matches, he has scored 1,266 runs with a decent batting average of 28.77. Maxwell is known for his explosive batting and ability to take on opposition bowlers, but his form in recent IPL seasons has been inconsistent, especially with the bat.
In the IPL 2024 season, Maxwell’s performance was particularly disappointing, as he managed to score only 52 runs in 12 matches. Because of this drastic drop in performance Fans and critics alike were disappointed, expecting more from a player like Maxwell. His poor performance affected not just the team’s success but also hurt his value in the IPL and franchise cricket in general.
RCB may reconsider the high salary they are paying Maxwell. With other younger and more consistent players available, RCB could consider releasing Maxwell to free up space for new talent or to reallocate resources more effectively. Letting him go would allow RCB to use their resources more wisely and avoid the risk of him continuing to underperform in future seasons.
3. Faf du Plessis
Faf du Plessis joined RCB in 2022 and quickly established himself as a reliable and consistent performer for the team. Over the past three seasons, he has scored 1,636 runs, showcasing his ability to consistently contribute runs at the top of the order. His recent success as captain of the Saint Lucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), where he led them to the championship, further highlights his leadership and form.
While Faf du Plessis performance remains at a high level, the salary required to retain him under BCCI’s revised salary structure—₹11 crores—might seem excessive to RCB. Despite his recent success and consistent run-scoring abilities, the team may need to prioritize their spending elsewhere to build a more well-rounded squad. The financial aspect of retaining an aging player like Faf du Plessis could outweigh the benefits of his leadership and batting. This could force RCB to make the tough decision of letting go of one of their key players.