As the cricketing world gears up for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, speculation is rife regarding the future of key players within Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad. Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja has expressed confidence that RCB will retain the star batting Virat Kohli among others.
Ajay Jadeja’s possible keeps for RCB ahead of IPL 2025 auction
Jadeja, a noted cricket commentator and analyst, believes that Kohli is an indispensable asset for RCB and will definitely be retained ahead of the upcoming mega auction. He drew a parallel between Kohli and MS Dhoni, who has been constantly held by Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Jadeja also expressed his support for Rajat Patidar, highlighting his important role in RCB’s recent resurgence. He sees Patidar as a promising talent for the future. Additionally, Jadeja recommended the retention of Anuj Rawat, a wicketkeeper-batsman who has shown good form alongside the Patidars.
Regarding the overseas players, Jadeja suggested that RCB may opt to keep only two or three players due to their history of changing players and styles. He believes Mohammed Siraj and Yash Dayal are strong contenders for retention, but the final decision may depend on the new personnel in charge and the availability of Right to Match (RTM) cards.
“We don’t even need to discuss Virat Kohli. It’s the same as [MS] Dhoni for CSK. I favor Rajat Patidar, whether it is his style or his role in reviving RCB. He is the future. In the 4 crore range, you have Anuj Rawat, who has played well alongside Patidar. Wand holders are rare goods, especially of high quality. Jadeja said on Jio Cinema.
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“As far as overseas players go, I think they like to change players and styles every year. I think they will keep two or three players in total. I believe that keeping Mohammed Siraj and Yash Dayal will be an emotional decision. If the back end remains the same then there is a possibility that Dayal will be picked ahead of Siraj. If not, then the new staff in charge will look to start over. So, because of the RTM, I think not as many players will be retained,” he added.
IPL 2025 Fixtures Deadline and Possible Mega Auction Venue
The deadline for holding the IPL 2025 is set for October 31, 2024. While the venue of the mega event has not been officially confirmed, it is highly expected to take place in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Franchises are leaning towards holding the event outside India and these cities, which have previously hosted IPL auctions, are favored for their world-class facilities.
