In the IPL 2022, 2023, and most recent editions of the competition, Royal Challengers Bengaluru placed third, sixth, and fourth, respectively. They’ve done a respectable job, but in order to fight for the crown before the next edition, several modifications must be made. The team still mostly relies on its top four batting lineup, which includes players like Glenn Maxwell, Virat Kohli, and Faf du Plessis, to win a tournament. However, every team needs balance to succeed, and the RCB lacked it, which is why they haven’t been able to approach the trophy.
RCB lost seven of their first eight games, especially in the 2024 edition. Although they won their final six league games and advanced to the postseason, it is still unacceptable that they dropped seven of their last eight games. It was only when they tried a different strategy that things started to change—all of their strategies had failed. They couldn’t afford to lose games because it took them multiple games to figure out the ideal mix.
With 17 tournament editions under their belt, the supporters are fervently hoping for the franchise to triumph. Since the club requires huge adjustments, RCB may benefit from having to release the majority of its players in anticipation of the upcoming mega-auction. The Bengaluru-based team will have the chance to assemble a team from the ground up once more, and with careful planning, they should be able to purchase the individuals that will enable them to take home the championship. They have to sacrifice a few players first, though.
Here are three key players RCB can release ahead of IPL 2025:
1. Faf du Plessis
It’s never ideal to let go of your captain, but it seems that RCB will take that course before the next edition. Faf du Plessis has performed admirably at the bat and as captain, although his advanced age undoubtedly has a significant impact. The team cannot entrust him with the baton for another three or four years, even though he is 40 years old and in excellent shape.
Over the course of three years, the former South Africa international amassed 1636 runs in 45 games while playing for the Royals. The team made it to the postseason twice while he was in charge, which is an impressive record to say the least. But it’s possible that he won’t be able to maintain the abilities needed to participate in the world’s top T20 competition.
They intend to search the market for alternatives and attempt to sign a player who can guide the squad for ten years, much as Virat Kohli did in the past. Should RCB choose to part ways with Faf, the top batsman for India still remains available to mentor the team’s next skipper.
2. Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell was purchased by RCB at the auction for INR 11 crore. While the all-rounder performed very well, his form declined in the league’s 2024 edition. As a result, the Australia international took a vacation from cricket and returned later in the competition. But because of his mediocre performance overall, RCB may have to search for other options.
Maxwell took six wickets in nine innings and scored just 52 runs in 2024. Given his injury worries and form, RCB are unlikely to support him for another cycle after he failed to justify his place in the playing XI. Despite his respectable performance in Major League Cricket, it is unlikely that RCB will decide to keep him.
The 35-year-old isn’t getting any younger, either. He might even announce his retirement before the current cycle ends, considering he will be older than 36 when the following season starts. Therefore, it makes perfect sense for RCB to advance and include younger players.
3. Mahipal Lomror
For the past two years, Mahipal Lomror was supported by Royal Challengers Bengaluru; nonetheless, the youthful player was unable to leave his mark on the competition. Lomror batted ten times but only scored 135 runs in the competition’s 2023 edition. Lomror never had any doubts about his strike rate, but he had trouble being consistent.
The 24-year-old was nevertheless trusted by the franchise. In the ten games he participated in for the RCB in 2024, he once again batted with a strong strike rate but was unable to turn his starts into substantial totals. He scored 125 runs, his highest being 33. If BCCI holds another mega-auction, it is quite doubtful that RCB will keep him or utilise an RTM card after that.
Also Read: I won’t feel like an outsider because Virat Kohli assured me that RCB would support me the entire season: Yash Dayal
If Rajat Patidar is kept for the upcoming season, Bengaluru might be willing to offer him more chances. The 31-year-old is far ahead of Lomror in the standings after having a fantastic IPL 2024 with the bat. Given that most of its veteran players are approaching retirement, RCB is also excited about adding new players who can advance the squad.
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