Rachin Ravindra, the Kiwi southpaw with strong Bengaluru roots, has been ‘picked’ by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for Rs 6 crore at Ravichandran Ashwin’s mock IPL 2025 mega auction. While this isn’t official, the move has fans buzzing about a potential homecoming for Ravindra, who was born to parents originally from Bengaluru.
Mock auction details: Ravindra’s Rs 6 crore deal
Rachin Ravindra, who set his base price at Rs 2 crore for the real IPL 2025 auction, became a subject of intense bidding at Ashwin’s mock auction. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) initiated the bidding but exited early. Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) carried the bidding war forward until the price hit Rs 4.25 crore, at which point PBKS backed out. RCB entered the fray and secured Ravindra for Rs 6 crore.
This mock purchase is significant given Ravindra’s connection to Bengaluru and his recent performances. While his overall T20 record may not be stellar, his showing at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium across formats has been remarkable.
RCB: A natural fit for Ravindra?
Rachin Ravindra has made a name for himself in Bengaluru, with exceptional performances at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium across Test, ODI, and IPL formats. Despite limited appearances, he has amassed impressive numbers, including a century in Tests and a blistering half-century in IPL 2024 for CSK against RCB. His aggressive stroke play and adaptability make him a promising prospect for RCB, especially with the team looking for a replacement for Faf du Plessis.
At just 24 years old, Ravindra has the potential to be a long-term asset for RCB. Teaming up with Virat Kohli as an opening partner, the right-left batting combination could provide the spark RCB needs to chase their elusive IPL trophy.
Rachin Ravindra’s Chinnaswamy dominance
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 1 | 173 | 173 | 85.64 | 1 | 0 | 134 |
| ODI | 2 | 150 | 75 | 117.18 | 1 | 0 | 108 |
| IPL | 1 | 61 | 61 | 164.90 | 0 | 1 | 61 |
A bright future for RCB?
While the mock auction is purely speculative, Rachin Ravindra’s move to RCB would make perfect sense. The franchise is in need of young talent to complement their experienced core. With Ravindra’s familiarity with the conditions and a connection to Bengaluru, his addition could be a game-changer for RCB’s 2025 IPL campaign.
