With the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction on the horizon, former South African legend and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) stalwart AB de Villiers has outlined a bold vision for RCB’s auction strategy. De Villiers, who has shared a close camaraderie with Virat Kohli during his RCB tenure, is optimistic about the team’s retention choices and their ample budget of Rs 83 crore. RCB retained only three players – Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar and uncapped pacer Yash Dayal – preserving flexibility and resources to strengthen their squad with targeted acquisitions.

Building on Virat Kohli’s consistency and leadership for RCB

Kohli’s presence remains central to RCB’s ambitions. His stellar form in the 2024 season, where he amassed 741 runs with a strike rate of 154.70 to clinch the Orange Cap, reaffirms his role as both a prolific scorer and leader. De Villiers emphasized the importance of retaining Kohli however, he believes that to achieve their first IPL title, RCB needs players with specialized skills suited for the challenging pitch at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

“The good news is we still have Virat. And we didn’t spend too much with the retentions. There’s a lot in the bank still, which I’m very happy about,” De Villiers was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

AB de Villiers names his 4 ideal picks for RCB

De Villiers highlighted four key players that he sees as potential game-changers for RCB’s bowling lineup: Yuzvendra Chahal, Kagiso Rabada, Ravichandran Ashwin and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The primary focus, according to him, should be on building a versatile, tournament-winning bowling attack. In case the primary targets are unavailable, de Villiers recommended Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh as strong alternatives. Both are adept at maintaining control in high-stakes moments, with Shami known for his lethal seam movement and Arshdeep for his ability to bowl under pressure.

“My four priority players are Yuzvendra Chahal, Kagiso Rabada, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Ravi Ashwin. We can make a plan with the rest of the money we have left in the auction. If you can’t get Rabada, I get hold of Mohammed Shami. If you can’t get him, get hold of Arshdeep Singh. So there’s lots of options,” the legendary cricketer added.

1. Yuzvendra Chahal: Known as one of the most prolific bowlers at Chinnaswamy, Chahal previously enjoyed a successful stint with RCB, taking 139 wickets in 113 matches. De Villiers strongly endorsed Chahal’s return, stating, “Let’s just get Yuzi back at RCB where he belongs. He should never have left,” Chahal’s ability to pick up wickets consistently, especially in a challenging venue like Chinnaswamy, makes him an invaluable asset for RCB’s middle overs.
2. Kagiso Rabada: As a proven international pace bowler with a lethal combination of speed and accuracy, Rabada could bring the firepower RCB’s bowling unit needs. His experience in high-pressure situations would make him a formidable weapon in both the powerplay and death overs. De Villiers envisions Rabada as a key cog in a title-contending bowling attack.
3. Ravichandran Ashwin: Adding Ashwin to the squad would bolster RCB’s spin attack with a mix of experience and tactical acumen. Known for his ability to outfox batters with his variations, Ashwin’s inclusion would provide RCB with another reliable option in both the powerplay and middle overs, complementing Chahal’s leg-spin.
4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar: If Rabada is unavailable, De Villiers suggests Bhuvneshwar as an alternative. A seasoned swing bowler and effective death-over specialist, Bhuvneshwar brings control and experience to the pace attack. His inclusion could address RCB’s longstanding issue of leaking runs in the death overs, while his experience would be invaluable for guiding younger bowlers.

De Villiers’ vision: Building a ‘street-smart’ team

De Villiers emphasized the importance of a team that understands the unique challenges of playing at Chinnaswamy, focusing on players who are “street-smart” and capable of executing bowling plans effectively. He noted, “We don’t need a trophy. Forget about the trophy. We need a team that understands the Chinnaswamy, who are street smart, who can bowl to plans, who can play to plans, who has got a very good understanding about the game of cricket,” This approach shifts the focus from purely star power to strategic team composition tailored to RCB’s home conditions.