IPL 2025 Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Best Retained Players List

Virat Kohli to once again be the first-choice retention in our best predicted retained players list for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for IPL 2025.  

In the most recent developments on the IPL 2025 retention rules for the Indian Premier League, it is understood that teams will be allowed to retain a maximum of 5 players with a maximum of 3 Indian and 2 Overseas players. This is not only great news for teams who have built a strong core, but it is also a great step-up from IPL 2022, where teams were allowed to retain a maximum of 4 players. However, it is also understood that there won’t be RTMs in the Mega Auction.

With this welcome step, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be actually happier as they do have a lot of quality players in their side that they would like to retain for IPL 2025. But will that solve the perennial problem of RCB, and that is about winning the trophy? It’s been 17 years of struggle, but RCB are yet to get their hands on the trophy. While they have played three finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016, they haven’t been able to succeed even once. 

The year 2024 saw RCB finishing in the top 4 for the second time in three years, but couldn’t progress beyond that. Given the struggle of the team, RCB will need a strong strategy not just for the retentions, but also for the Mega Auction. But before we get to the Auction, what options do Royal Challengers Bengaluru have from a retention POV? Well, let’s analyze the current squad, and find out the best possible retained players list for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for IPL 2025. 

RCB Retained Players List Decoded – IPL 2025

Starting with the first player, it has to be none other than Virat Kohli. The legend of the game, Virat will be the first-choice retention, not just for RCB but also for any other team. Virat Kohli is the leading run-scorer in the IPL with 8004 runs to his name. He is a distant first in the list with Dhawan being second at 6769 runs. Virat also remains the only player to have played for a single franchise since the start of IPL In 2008. 

The second player that RCB will look to retain will be Glenn Maxwell. Maxwell may have had a mediocre IPL 2024, but that’s how the big show is. He will give a breathtaking performance one season, but in the very next season, you would feel whether he actually has forgotten batting. But he is still one of the key players for Australia, and RCB will consider his quality, and give him another chance in the upcoming season. 

Talking about the third player, RCB will look at their leading pacer, Mohammed Siraj as the probable retention. Siraj has been the spearhead of the RCB pace attack for a few seasons now. Although he is not a front-runner even in the Indian T20 team, he is the first-choice bowler for India in ODI and Test formats. Expect RCB to continue with Siraj in the RCB camp, and get him as a retained player for the IPL 2025 season. 

Faf du Plessis vs Cameron Green

The fourth player that RCB will look at will see a tough competition between Captain Faf du Plessis and Cameron Green. Now, it is a big call between looking at the future with Cameron Green, or focusing on the upcoming 2-3 years with Faf du Plessis at the helm once again. Ideally, Green isn’t a bad option at all looking at his all-round abilities. But Faf does have a good couple of years with him, and ideally, RCB can continue with Faf for now. 

Finally, talking about the fifth player, RCB will mostly select Rajat Patidar as the fifth retention. Rajat may not be the most extravagant player in the RCB setup, but among the Indian players, he is a solid option. He has also proved himself in the IPL, and also in Domestic cricket. Courtesy of his performances, he has also made his debut for the Indian team, although he hasn’t quite lived up to the performance as yet. 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Best Retained Players List for IPL 2025:

Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell (o), Mohammed Siraj, Faf du Plessis (o) & Rajat Patidar

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