Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were among the smartest teams in the IPL 2025 auction as they did not go too hard after top players and rather looked for players who fit their plans. They had specific goals and they achieved them precisely to form a competitive team to compete hard in IPL 2025.

They bought several well-known quality players who can change the rules of the game and win matches on their own. However, they also have some unknown products that can get the job done consistently and be an X factor for your side.

Manoj Bhandage can be RCB’s X factor in IPL 2025

One of the most interesting players in the local national competitions has been Manoj Bhandage. RCB bought him for his base price of INR 30 Lakhs in the IPL 2025 auction, and he was previously with the franchise but did not get any game to showcase his ability.

Bhandage is an all-rounder who bats in the middle and lower middle order and bowls at a useful medium pace. He rose to prominence thanks to his performances in Karnataka’s local T20 competition, the Maharaja T20 Trophy, where he has been among the most consistent middle-order batsmen.

He scored 292 runs at an average of 41.71 and a strike rate of 213.13 in 12 innings, including a fifty last season. Additionally, he took 8 wickets at 25.25 runs each in ten outings, demonstrating his all-round skills.

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What does Manoj Bhandage offer?

Manoj Bhandage’s biggest strength is his superior experience against pacers as he can take them on at will and hit boundaries consistently. Even in the Maharaja T20 Trophy 2024, Manoj found the fence every 3.34 deliveries while batting in the middle and lower middle order.

He can hit pacers at will and hit any length, making him an ideal candidate for the finisher’s role. Then, he can also bowl a couple of overs with the ball if used accurately, and his bowling has steadily improved.

He has scored 187 runs at a strike rate of 132.62 in 15 T20 innings. Furthermore, he also has 18 wickets at 24.05 runs each in 22 outings in the shortest format.

The Impact Player rule has taken away the bowling value of several all-rounders, but there is still room for quality players to contribute in all departments. Therefore, Bhandage is a complete package whose precise use can do wonders for the Bengaluru-based franchise.

How can RCB include Manoj Bhandage in their playing XI?

If we look at RCB’s team composition, they don’t have too many quality bowling all-rounders, which should open up a spot for Bhandage. RCB can field him in the XI, use one of their top-order batsmen as an impact player and replace him with a specialist bowler as per requirements.

This way, RCB will have more options in both the batting and bowling departments, providing flexibility. Even if they want, RCB can use Bhandage as an impact player and use his batting skills in death overs, where he can take on speedsters.

RCB have Tim David but he has struggled so the team would want another option to partner with him and share the workload. Bhandage has previous experience playing at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, another positive for RCB.

Manoj has been with the franchise since IPL 2023 but is yet to make his debut in the tournament. RCB must be cautious and give him consistent opportunities in IPL 2025.

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