“They will just retain Virat Kohli, release everyone else, and use the RTM” – RP Singh on RCB’s potential retentions ahead of IPL 2025 Auction

Former Indian fast bowler RP Singh feels Royal Challengers Bengaluru will only retain Virat Kohli, release all the other players and use the Right to Match in the mega auction. Kohli has been a consistent performer for RCB since the inception of the IPL and has scored 8004 runs (the most in the tournament) in 252 matches at an average of 38.47 and a strike rate of 131.97.

According to new retention rules released by the IPL governing council on Saturday, every franchise can retain a maximum of six players through retention or Right to Match card.

“I feel they don’t have any problem. They will just retain Virat Kohli, release everyone else, and use the RTM. If we see the value taking Rajat Patidar as an example, will we get him for more or less than 11 crores at the auction?” RP Singh said on Colors Cineplex.

Singh feels the duo of Rajat Patidar and Mohammed Siraj are unlikely to reach the prize of INR 14 crores at the auction.

“I feel you will get Rajat Patidar for fewer. So you get him back at the auction. Even if he reaches close to 11 crores, you have the RTM which you can use there,” RP Singh observed.”Siraj, performance-wise, you will have to again judge whether you will get him close to 11 crores. I don’t think Siraj will reach close to 14 crores. They will always have the option that if he reaches there, you can use the RTM,” he added.

Singh feels RCB uncapped players like Anuj Rawat and Rajan Kumar won’t reach anywhere close to four crores in the auction.

“If you talk about uncapped players, you took the name of Anuj Rawat and there is a left-arm pacer in Rajan Kumar, a good fast bowler who didn’t play, but all of them won’t reach close to four crores,” he said.

The former left-arm seamer reckons RCB should look build around veteran batter Virat Kohli.

“So they should go with a new mindset. They need Virat, he has contributed a lot to the franchise, and Virat is the most important player as well. So they should think about building the team around him, or with a new thought. I don’t see anyone else apart from Virat Kohli having a value of 18 or 14 crores in this team,” RP Singh stated.

RCB will look to build a strong team in the auction.