After the IPL 2025 retention lists are out, the fans are waiting for the IPL 2025 auction and want to see how things unfold. They wanted to see how all the teams shape for the next season and which big players will go to with the team. We have seen players like Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant who were the captain of the teams being released by their respective franchises. Now, all these players will look for a new home in the IPL 2025 auction and an interesting auction is coming on our way soon.
As far as KL Rahul, it was on the cards that Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will not retain him before the IPL 2025 auction. Now, teams like Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Delhi Capitals (DC), etc might go for KL Rahul in the auction and he might get a handsome amount of money in the auction. Today, we will particularly talk about the reasons for RCB to target KL Rahul and what are the possibility of him going back to RCB for IPL 2025. So let’s dive into it quickly.
Reasons for RCB to target KL Rahul in the IPL 2025 auction
(1) Ex-RCB player
KL Rahul has already played for RCB in the past. He started his IPL career with RCB in 2013. Then, he moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for two years before again joining RCB in 2016.
Rahul has been with the RCB and knows the dynamics of the team. He has been in that dressing room before as well. So if he comes back to RCB, it will be a homecoming 3.0 for him.
(2) A good bond with Virat Kohli
As we said earlier, KL Rahul has played with Virat Kohli in the IPL (Indian Premier League) and for India together. Both individuals share a very good bond and have mutual respect for each other. It might play in the hands of KL Rahul and RCB.
(3) KL Rahul – a new RCB captain
RCB has released their captain Faf du Plessis before the IPL 2025 auction. Now, they are looking for options and KL Rahul might fit in perfectly for them in this role. An IPL franchise always prefers an Indian captain over an overseas captain and Rahul can lead the side for the next three years.
It is unlikely that RCB use RTM (Right to Match) card for Faf du Plessis as he is not getting younger. The team will look for someone who can serve them for at least the next three years. KL Rahul has enough experience of captaining an IPL franchise with LSG and PBKS over the years. He even captained the national side in a few games.
There are also some media reports circulating which suggest that Virat Kohli might lead RCB again. But, if it won’t happen, KL Rahul can solve this problem for the team and Virat can enjoy his game as a player.
(4) Rahul’s batting ability has been phenomenal
We have seen KL Rahul batting outstandingly well over the years, especially in white-ball cricket. Yes, his strike rate has a question mark but he can clear the fence and can also play sensible innings of the team needed. He has done well in the past as well in terms of strike rate.
Also, he is one of the most consistent performers in the IPL with the bat over the last few seasons. Since 2018, he has scored 500+ runs in all the IPL seasons except 2023 (and that too because he missed out on the later part of the season due to injury).
So Rahul can stable the top order alongside Virat Kohli. And with RCB playing half of their games in Chinnaswamy, Rahul can fancy their chances in the batting on one of the flattest tracks in India.
(5) Wicketkeeping option
KL Rahul is India’s regular wicketkeeper in ODIs. He has also played for India in T20Is as a wicketkeeper batter. So he can fill that wicketkeeping spot as well for the team.
(6) Brand value
KL Rahul is one of the big names in Indian cricket. His brand value in the market is substantial, making him one of the most sought-after sports personalities in India. So, in terms of face value or brand value as well, RCB can target him for the IPL. The franchise can attract more brands and sponsors if someone like Rahul is associated with the team, alongside Virat Kohli.
(7) RCB has the biggest purse in the IPL 2025 auction
This point is interrelated to the above point. KL Rahul has a good face value and he might easily get INR 12-15 crore in the auction. A few other franchises might also show interest in buying Rahul for the next season. RCB, who has enough purses for the auction can target Rahul in the IPL 2025 auction.
RCB and PBKS are the two teams that have the biggest purse; INR 83 CR and INR 110.5 CR respectively in the auction. Both the teams will look to get KL Rahul on board for the next season.
Conclusion
So these are the reasons why RCB can target KL Rahul in the IPL 2025 auction. The fans also wanted to see him playing in front of their home-state crowd.
↻ Three Teams That Could Target KL Rahul In IPL 2025 Auction
FAQs:-
(1) How many runs Rahul has scored for RCB?
The right-handed batter has played 19 games for RCB and scored 417 runs. He has 4 fifties to his name while playing for RCB, with the highest score of 68*.
(2) In which IPL season Rahul has scored the most runs?
KL Rahul has scored 670 runs with an average of 55.83 and a strike rate of 129.34 in IPL 2020. It was his best IPL season in terms of runs. He has scored 5 fifties and a hundred in that season.
(3) How many runs Rahul has scored in the IPL so far?
Rahul has scored 4683 runs in the IPL with an average of 45.47 and a strike rate of 134.61.
(4) When will the IPL 2025 auction happen?
The IPL 2025 auction is likely to happen on November 24 and 25, 2024. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is the venue that the BCCI has decided for the event.
