While RCB released some big names, Mohammed Siraj’s exclusion was the most surprising.
Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) retention deadline yesterday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) named only three stars in the list and released all other players from the list.
The franchise decided to keep Virat Kohli (INR 21 crore), Rajat Patidar (INR 11 crore) and uncapped Yash Dayal (INR 5 crore).
While RCB released some big names like Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis and Will Jacks, the exclusion of talismanic pacer Mohammed Siraj from RCB’s list of retained players was the most surprising.
Regarding the decision not to include Siraj, the team’s Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, opened up and explained the reasoning behind the move.
Bobat said on RCB’s social channels: “Not retaining him was our toughest decision. “We value his contributions as we have delivered solid performances for RCB and India over the years.”
“However, we wanted to go into the auction with as many options open as possible, especially to build a balanced bowling attack capable of competing effectively in the IPL and other formats,” Bobat added.
RCB took a calculated risk by not signing Mohammed Siraj
Siraj, who was bought by the franchise in 2018 with a bid of INR 2.2 crore during the auction, has consistently been one of the team’s most effective bowling assets. Since joining RCB, he has claimed 83 wickets in 87 games, with his standout performance of 4/21 coming in the 2023 season.
In the previous season (IPL 2024), he took 15 wickets in 14 matches, at an average of 33.07 and an economy rate of 9.19.
RCB’s decision to release Siraj appears strategic, a calculated risk probably aimed at maintaining a flexible budget for the upcoming auction. By opting not to retain him, RCB opens up the possibility of re-signing Siraj at a potentially lower cost if his auction value fits into their financial plans.
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RCB will now participate in the IPL 2025 auction with INR 83 crore in its purse after spending INR 37 crore on its retentions.
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