IPL 2025: AI-predicted Starting Playing XI for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have always been a franchise known for taking well-informed punts when it comes to shaping their RCB Squad 2025 ahead of an Indian Premier League season. Yet again, the mega auction for IPL 2025 saw them assemble a multi-faceted unit. The think tank has seemed to have played it smart this time around, as their squad has garnered a whole lot of praise from all fronts.

RCB have had a storied history of going big on two or three players during the auction. However, surprisingly, they displayed a strong deviation from that pattern. This time around, the management made calculated purchases and ensured to not break the bank for any player at the two-day event in Jeddah.

Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal were the three who were retained ahead of the auction, with Swapnil Singh being the player on which the Right To Match card was activated. RCB will be raring to go come to IPL 2025, with the hope that they finally end their trophy drought by emerging as the title-winners in the forthcoming season.  

Let's see how AI-predicted RCB's starting playing 11 for IPL 2025:

Openers: Virat Kohli (c), Phil Salt 

Virat Kohli, who has been the linchpin of RCB for the past so many seasons, is predicted to fit into one of the opening slots. He has been a revolutionary contributor for the franchise while batting top, amassing a colossal 4,352 runs in 113 innings, averaging an impressive 45.81 so far. The ace Indian batter possesses the unique ability to change gears seamlessly, something RCB would be banking on as Kohli's legacy of representing RCB continues.

Phil Salt is projected to partner Kohli at the top. Salt's fearless hard-hitting prowess has been on prominent display quite a few times - be it during international cricket or in domestic T20 franchise leagues around the globe. Salt's scintillating form with KKR last year was one of the prime reasons why RCB purchased him, and he would be expected to go hammer and tongs like he has in the past.

Middle-order: Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (wk)

Rajat Patidar, one of RCB's three retained players, is forecasted to slot in at the No. 3 position. Patidar has showcased flashes of his hard-hitting prowess against spin, which has been one of the central contributors to his getting backed by the franchise. Another attribute that makes him favourable for the one-drop position is his splendid consistency, something which is plentiful during the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Liam Livingstone has developed as the premier white-ball player over time. When it comes to the 20-over format, his brute force is enough to take the game out of the reach of the opposition within the blink of an eye. His sensational record in the IPL as well as in the English jersey is what made RCB acquire the batting all-rounder's services.

Another explosive hitter of the cricket ball, Tim David, is foreseen to be the third overseas batter in the lineup. David, who played just a single game for RCB in IPL 2021, showed the kind of impact he could make during the three seasons he represented Mumbai Indians. He has demonstrated incredible strength when it comes to finishing the innings off for the various sides he has represented in T20s up until now.  

Jitesh Sharma is expected to play a similar role as he did for Punjab Kings since IPL 2022. He has always shown promise when it comes to his pyrotechnics with the bat down the order. His agile reflexes with the gloves make him ideal to take on the wicketkeeping responsibility for the side.

All-rounders: Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh

Spin-bowling all-rounder, Krunal Pandya, is projected to add the much-needed depth RCB needed in the past few seasons. The elder Pandya has continually exhibited his all-round prowess in the IPL - be it with his left-arm spin or unleashing some lusty blows towards the end. His versatility will be an aspect which will be highly valuable to the franchise.

Another left-arm orthodox, Swapnil Singh, is set to be a prized asset for RCB. He has had a knack of providing crucial breakthroughs with the ball. The Uttar Pradesh-born cricketer is more than capable of hanging around with the bat.

Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal

With a wealth of experience under his belt, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is slated to be a coveted resource for RCB. His exceptional attribute of displaying brilliance with the new ball and at the death places him as one of the key leaders of the bowling lineup. In addition to spearheading the bowling attack, the passing on of knowledge to the other bowlers would be extremely beneficial too.

Josh Hazlewood was bought back by RCB after two decent seasons. The tall right-arm quick has proven to be difficult to handle on bouncy tracks. His ability to spear in yorkers and bowl disciplined lines during the business end of the opposition's innings will be something that RCB would be keen on leveraging.   

Yash Dayal was the only bowler retained by RCB, mainly for his past performances for the franchise. IPL 2024 was his first for RCB, a season which saw him take 15 wickets in total. His ability to be able to swing the new ball both ways as well as bowl those deceptive slower deliveries will be vital for RCB throughout their 2025 campaign.

RCB's AI-predicted XI in IPL 2025: 

Virat Kohli (c), Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal.

Also Check: CSK's AI-predicted XI in IPL 2025