From the last IPL season onwards, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have quietly fixed one of their biggest long-standing problems — auction execution. The reckless spending and last-minute panic buys seem to be a thing of the past. Instead, RCB have consistently walked out of auctions with value picks and smart backups, and this year was no different.
Once again, RCB came prepared. They knew what they wanted, avoided distractions, and filled most of the important gaps in their squad. However, despite another impressive auction, one glaring omission could still come back to haunt them during the season.
What RCB Set Out to Fix
RCB’s auction requirements were clear well before the first paddle went up:
- A dependable backup for Josh Hazlewood
- Cover for Phil Salt behind the stumps
- Insurance for Devdutt Padikkal, whose form has been inconsistent
- A quality wrist spinner for middle-overs control
- An Indian pacer, considering fitness and form concerns
This was not an ambitious wishlist — it was practical and realistic.
Jacob Duffy: Another Gold Pick by RCB
If there was one buy that summed up RCB’s improved auction thinking, it was Jacob Duffy.
On paper, he’s listed as a backup for Josh Hazlewood. In reality, he is much more than that. Duffy arrives with strong credentials:
- Leading wicket-taker among pacers in 2025
- Currently ranked No. 2 in the ICC T20I bowling rankings
For a team that depends heavily on Hazlewood’s control and experience, securing Duffy was a low-risk, high-reward move. He brings discipline, consistency, and the ability to strike without bleeding runs — exactly the kind of bowler RCB have often lacked in pressure games.
Calling him just a backup would be misleading. This was smart squad building.
Depth Finally Looks Sorted
RCB also addressed their other needs with sensible picks:
- J Cox provides a reliable backup for Phil Salt and adds top-order flexibility.
- Venkatesh Iyer offers insurance for Padikkal and gives RCB a strong left-hand option who can start or float in the order.
- Mangesh Yadav strengthens the Indian pace department, an area that has troubled RCB in recent seasons.
Some selections were clearly made with the future in mind. Stavik Deswal, a chinaman bowler, may not be a regular starter immediately but could be used selectively depending on conditions.
The One Problem Area RCB Didn’t Solve
Despite covering most bases, RCB once again missed out on a proven wrist spinner.
Yes, Suyash Sharma has promise. But in a long IPL season, relying on a single wrist-spin option is a gamble. Wrist spinners often decide matches in the middle overs, especially on Indian surfaces, and RCB lack an experienced alternative if things go wrong.
This single omission is the difference between a near-perfect auction and a flawless one.
Indian Pace: Still Slightly Fragile
RCB’s Indian fast-bowling options remain an area of mild concern:
- Yash Dayal hasn’t played since the last IPL and could even miss the next season
- Rasik Dar Salam has struggled with rhythm and consistency
While Mangesh Yadav adds depth, RCB still lack a proven Indian pacer who can be trusted consistently at the death.
Expected RCB Playing XII
If all players are available, RCB’s strongest combination could look like this:
- Phil Salt
- Virat Kohli
- Devdutt Padikkal / Venkatesh Iyer
- Rajat Patidar
- Jitesh Sharma
- Tim David
- Romario Shepherd / Jacob Duffy
- Krunal Pandya
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Mangesh Yadav / Yash Dayal / Rasik Dar Salam
- Josh Hazlewood
- Suyash Sharma
On paper, this is one of RCB’s most balanced squads in recent years.
Final Verdict
RCB deserve credit for continuing their strong run at the auction table. Most of their requirements were addressed with clarity, backups were planned sensibly, and the squad finally looks deep and flexible.
However, the absence of a proven wrist spinner remains the one flaw that could hurt them when margins get tight.
Auction Rating: 9.5/10
Another strong auction — but not quite perfect.
