Royal Challengers Bengaluru are gearing up for IPL 2025, which they will kick off with the opening game of the tournament against Kolkata Knight Riders on March 22. Here's how their squad looks compared to last year.
As excitement builds with the tournament drawing closer, RCB will be looking to make a strong start to the tournament and will once again hope to clinch their maiden title. They have a revamped squad for this edition, with a mix of experienced veterans, exciting young talent and promising domestic players.
The team will be led by newly appointed captain Rajat Patidar, after the franchise chose not to retain former captain Faf du Plessis ahead of the mega auction. Patidar was appointed contrary to speculation that Virat Kohli would once again take on the responsibility, the India superstar having previously captained the side from 2013-2021. Kohli won the Orange Cap in last year's tournament, scoring 741 runs across the competition.
RCB fell short in the play-off stage once against last year, finishing in fourth position in the league table before losing to Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator.
RCB squad 2025: Who's out?
In a bid to refresh their squad, RCB released several players ahead of the mega auction, including Du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green and Mohammed Siraj. Maxwell had played for the side across four straight seasons, but was subsequently picked up by Punjab Kings ahead of this year. Siraj took 15 wickets for RCB last season at an average of 33.06.
Players released by RCB ahead of IPL 2025: Faf du Plessis*, Glenn Maxwell*, Mohammed Siraj, Anuj Rawat, Dinesh Karthik, Suyash Prabhudessai, Will Jacks*, Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Manoj Bhandage, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Akash Deep, Reece Topley*, Himanshu Sharma, Rajan Kumar, Mayank Dagar, Cameron Green*, Alzarri Joseph*, Tom Curran*, Lockie Ferguson*, Swapnil Singh, Saurav Chauhan.
* = overseas player
RCB squad 2025: Who's in?
RCB have bolstered their ranks with marquee overseas player signings in Josh Hazlewood and Phil Salt, as well as Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell and Romario Shepherd. Salt was key in KKR's winning campaign last year, forming an explosive opening partnership with Sunil Narine. The franchise have also bought former India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar who last represented RCB in 2010, and who has since played for Sunrisers Hyderabad for 11 straight seasons.
RCB squad 2025: Full player list
Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd*, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell*, Phil Salt*, Jitesh Sharma, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood*, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, Suyash Sharma, Nuwan Thushara*, Lungi Ngidi*, Mohit Rathee, Liam Livingstone*, Tim David*, Swapnil Singh.
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