As the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) kicks off, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are gearing up for another shot at their elusive maiden title. With a revamped squad and a new captain at the helm, the Bengaluru-based franchise is set to make waves in IPL 2025.
Leadership and Strategy
Rajat Patidar, the dynamic middle-order batter, has been appointed as the captain for IPL 2025. Patidar, who has been a consistent performer for RCB since 2021, takes over the reins from Faf du Plessis. Known for his calm demeanor and sharp cricketing acumen, Patidar is expected to lead the team with a fresh perspective. Virat Kohli, the face of RCB, will continue to play a pivotal role, providing experience and stability to the team.
Full Squad
RCB’s squad for IPL 2025 boasts a mix of seasoned campaigners and promising talents:
- Batters: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chhikara
- Wicketkeepers: Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma
- All-Rounders: Liam Livingstone, Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh
- Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Nuwan Thushara, Lungi Ngidi, Abhinandan Singh, Mohit Rathee
Predicted Playing XI
RCB’s probable starting XI for IPL 2025:
- Virat Kohli
- Phil Salt (wk)
- Rajat Patidar (c)
- Liam Livingstone
- Krunal Pandya
- Jitesh Sharma
- Tim David
- Rasikh Dar/Manoj Bhandage
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Josh Hazlewood
- Yash Dayal
Strengths and Challenges
RCB’s batting lineup, featuring Kohli, Salt, and Livingstone, promises explosive starts and middle-order stability. The addition of experienced bowlers like Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar strengthens their bowling attack. However, adapting to the high-scoring conditions at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium remains a challenge.
Outlook for IPL 2025
With a balanced squad and a determined leadership, RCB aims to break their title drought this season. Fans will be eager to see if the team can finally lift the coveted IPL trophy.
Stay tuned for live updates and in-depth analysis as RCB embarks on their IPL 2025 journey.
