RCB retains Kohli, Patidar, and Dayal in 2025 IPL lineup

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has announced its player retention list for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, securing three key players. As anticipated, RCB retained two Indian stars along with their former captain, Virat Kohli, setting a confident tone for their squad's future.

Also read: It is because of RCB’s fans that I got picked for 2022 T20 World Cup: Dinesh Karthik 

Big Investment in Kohli

In a strategic move, RCB has retained Virat Kohli, who delivered an outstanding 741-run performance in the 2024 IPL season, for a substantial ₹21 crore. The franchise reaffirmed Kohli's value to the team, underscoring that he remains indispensable.

Patidar’s Rising Star

Rajat Patidar, an emerging RCB star, was retained as the second pick for ₹11 crore. Known for his consistent batting, Patidar has represented RCB for three seasons, amassing 799 runs in 27 matches at an impressive average of 34.73 and a strike rate of 158.84. His record includes a century, five half-centuries, and 54 sixes, solidifying his role as a core player.

Yash Dayal Makes the Cut

Yash Dayal, acquired in the 2024 IPL auction, was retained for ₹5 crore. After a challenging start with Gujarat, Dayal found his form with RCB, becoming a crucial asset for the team moving forward.

With these three players locked in for ₹37 crore, RCB has ₹83 crore left to make additional bids in the upcoming mega auction. Franchises, including RCB, are set to reshape their squads under IPL’s rule, allowing a maximum of six retentions, with the rest open for the auction.