Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) coach Andy Flower expressed confidence in Virat Kohli’s retention ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, stating that there was “no doubt whatsoever” about retaining the star batter. Kohli, who was RCB’s highest retention at INR 21 crore, is also reportedly set to resume his role as captain, with the franchise aiming for their elusive IPL title.
Reflecting on Kohli’s value to the team, Flower said, “Virat’s retention won’t come as much of a surprise to anyone in India. He is and will be key to RCB’s success in the future. Last season, he was sensational and one of the leaders who propelled us into the playoffs despite a challenging start.”
Kohli had an exceptional IPL 2024 season, winning the Orange Cap with 741 runs across 15 matches. His performances included a century, five fifties, and a remarkable strike rate of 154. Alongside Kohli, Rajat Patidar, who also had a solid season with 395 runs and a strike rate of 177, has been retained by RCB for INR 11 crore.
RCB’s Full Squad for IPL 2025:
- Batters/Wicketkeepers: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Rajat Patidar, Anuj Rawat, Dinesh Karthik, Suyash Prabhdessai, Saurav Chauhan
- All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Mahipal Lomror, Manoj Bhandage, Tom Curran, Swapnil Singh
- Bowlers: Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Karn Sharma, Rajan Kumar, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Alzarri Joseph, Lockie Ferguson, Yash Dayal, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Mayank Dagar
With Kohli set to lead a balanced squad, RCB fans are eagerly looking forward to the 2025 season, hoping for a title run under their iconic star.