IPL 2025: Andy Flower opens up on rationale behind 'key member' Rajat Patidar's retention

Royal Challengers Bengaluru retained Virat Kohli for INR 21 crore, Rajat Patidar for INR 11 crore and Yash Dayal for INR 5 crore. With that, they have released the likes of Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Siraj and Will Jacks among other notable names. The goal for them is to build the batting unit around Kohli and Patidar, while they are planning to build a bowling unit from scratch.

Dayal will be a key member of the bowling attack but the franchise would be eager to bring in more experienced Indian pacers and quality spinners - a department they lacked heavily ever since Yuzvendra Chahal was released.

Meanwhile, head coach Andy Flower is happy with RCB’s retentions. Retaining Dayal was considered a bold decision but the former cricketer explained that the pacer has the quality to swing both ways, which is rare and that played a role in them retaining him.

Check Out: Watch: Virat Kohli reacts after being retained by RCB once again, video goes viral

“We are thrilled to retain Yash Dayal, an extraordinary talent whose career is on an upward trajectory. His unique ability as a left-arm bowler, capable of swinging the ball in both directions, adds a valuable dimension to our bowling attack - one that is increasingly rare in the auction landscape,” Flower said.

Explaining the reason behind retaining Patidar, the head coach stated that his resilience made a significant impact on the team and he hopes to see the player grow more in RCB colours.

Also Read - Mo Bobat sheds light on RCB's decision to retain only three players

“Rajat Patidar is a key member of our squad. His exceptional talent and resilience have already made a significant impact on our team, and he truly embodies the spirit of RCB. We are excited to see him continue to develop and shine in the upcoming season,” the 56-year-old added.

Notably, RCB have spent INR 37 crore to retain the three players and have INR 83 crore left to spend in the auction. They also have eight overseas slots available to fill.