Virat Kohli retained for 21 Cr for IPL 2025 | Klaasen tops the retention list with 23 Cr

Royal Challengers Bangalore made a couple of surprising decisions in retention ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, whereas three key retainers for them were Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and uncapped bowler Yash Dayal as they released several big names from their set-up, including captain Faf du Plessis, all-rounders Glenn Maxwell and Will Jacks, along with the pace spearhead in Mohammed Siraj.

The Key Call: Retaining Kohli, Patidar and Dayal

The retention of Virat Kohli, the face of RCB and an IPL legend, was a no-brainer for Rs. 21 crore, given his brand value and consistency in performances that have fetched him a place in the team’s core even as the franchise embarks on a major reshaping. RCB’s Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, outlined the franchise’s commitment to its solid Indian core by stating that Kohli remains integral to the long-term strategy of RCB.

Rajat Patidar, a talented middle-order willow wielder who was the backbone of RCB’s campaign last season, pocketed a good amount of Rs. 11 crore too. For a player known to get match-winning innings and keep calm in high-pressure situations, Patidar’s rise from a 20-lakh buy in IPL 2024 to a multi-crore retention underlines the faith RCB has in his potential to deliver consistent performances.

Perhaps the biggest surprise retention was uncapped bowler Yash Dayal, who is slotted in for Rs 5 crore. Dayal is still awaiting a break-out season for IPL franchises but the pace he has shown thus far in the domestic circuit, and his talent for being a consistent left-arm seamer make him an important strategic asset for RCB’s bowling attack.

Retaining our players was a pretty simple decision, especially with how well they played last season,” Bobat said. “For us, it’s always about having a very strong core of Indians during the auction phase.”

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Shocking Release of Mohammed Siraj

A big name not on the retention list was Mohammed Siraj, who has been the pace workhorse for RCB since 2018. For six seasons now, Siraj has been a force to reckon with, picking 83 wickets in 87 matches and creating magical spells like his career-best performance of 4/21 in IPL 2023. The impactful performances notwithstanding, RCB decided not to retain the fast bowler in a move that left fans and pundits alike surprised.

On releasing Siraj, Bobat said, “Not retaining him was our toughest decision. We are very fond of him, having been a great performer for RCB and India over the years. But we wanted to enter the auction with as many options open as possible, especially to build a balanced bowling attack that would be able to compete effectively in the IPL and other formats.

This could also signal a rethink of their bowling set-up by RCB. Siraj is going to be among the hottest picks in the next auction as well, and the manner in which RCB will try to rework the attack would be fascinating to see.

High-Stakes Releases and Retentions Across the League

While RCB has not been the only one to make bold moves, several big guns have fallen into the auction pool in a shocking wave of releases. Lucknow Super Giants have let go of KL Rahul, Delhi Capitals have axed Rishabh Pant, KKR’s Shreyas Iyer, Mumbai Indians’ Ishan Kishan, Gujarat Giants’ Mohammed Shami join the list of ‘franchise-less’ players, along with Rajasthan Royals’ spin duo Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin, Chennai Super Kings’ Shardul Thakur.

However, the retention value of the talent market has also gone sky-high. Heinrich Klaasen will remain with Sunrisers Hyderabad at a hefty Rs 23 crore, the highest retention value. Next best, in fact, is Virat Kohli at Rs. 21 crore, followed by Sanju Samson, retained by Rajasthan Royals for Rs. 18 crore. The list also comprises some rising stars like Dhruv Jurel, who went for Rs. 14 crores to Rajasthan Royals; Rinku Singh to KKR for Rs. 13 crores; and Mayank Yadav to LSG for Rs. 11 crores, all of whom managed to raise their market value considerably.

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What Lies Ahead for RCB and the Auction

The much-talked-about mega auction of IPL 2025 will be game-changing, as franchises look to eventually compile championship-worthy squads. In the case of RCB, the engagement will be in finding the right balance of youth and experience that complements the core retention. Releasing veterans like Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell perhaps signals a shift toward investment in fresh and dynamic talent.

Franchises will go toe-to-toe in the auction for marquee players, especially pace bowling options like Mohammed Siraj, who may well ignite a bidding war. The stakes are higher than ever, and RCB’s calculated approach will either make or break their forthcoming IPL campaign.

FAQs

Q: For what reason has RCB released Mohammed Siraj after such a strong history of performances?

A: The call to release Mohammed Siraj was a tough one for them; the franchise, though, wanted to come into the auction with the flexibility to build a balanced and effective bowling attack.

Q: Who is retained by RCB ahead of the IPL 2025 Auction?

A: The retained by RCB are: Virat Kohli at Rs. 21 crore, Rajat Patidar at Rs. 11 crore, and uncapped bowler Yash Dayal at Rs. 5 crore.

Q: Which recognized players are released by their respective franchises before IPL 2025?

A: A few of the team’s hottest properties such as KL Rahul, Rishabh Pantaisably, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Mohammed Shami, Indadisa R as well as Yuzvendra Chahal and Ash Bombay have been released.

Q: Who is the most expensive retention ahead of the IPL 2025 auction?

A: Heinrich Klaasen is the costliest retention at Rs. 23 crore, retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad.