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| Royal Challengers Bangalore Playing 11 IPL 2025, Strength and Weakness, Squad, Timeline |
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) enter the 18th edition of the IPL still chasing their elusive maiden title. Last season, they staged a dramatic comeback, winning six consecutive games to qualify for the playoffs, edging out Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on net run rate.
However, their campaign ended in the Eliminator against Rajasthan Royals (RR). With Rajat Patidar taking over as captain and several strategic signings bolstering the squad, RCB hope this will finally be their year.
One of the biggest changes is the appointment of Rajat Patidar as captain. Unlike their past approach of trusting international stars for leadership, RCB has now put faith in a promising Indian talent. The franchise has also focused on squad balance rather than chasing high-profile names. Their bowling attack, traditionally a weak link, looks much stronger with the acquisitions of Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a combined INR 23.25 crore.
RCB’s Strengths and Weaknesses
RCB's biggest strength lies in their powerful batting core, led by Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, and Liam Livingstone. The presence of these dynamic batters ensures they have a formidable top order capable of taking on any bowling attack.
Another crucial advantage is their well-balanced group of all-rounders, including Krunal Pandya, Jacob Bethell, and Tim David, which provides both batting depth and additional bowling options. Their revamped bowling attack, with the inclusion of Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, gives them a much-needed reliability factor in a department where they have historically struggled.
Also Read: IPL 2025 Schedule: Time Table, Venues, Match List, Points Table
However, RCB still faces concerns in crucial areas. Their death bowling remains a significant challenge, particularly when playing at the batting-friendly Chinnaswamy Stadium. Despite the new acquisitions, the ability to contain runs in the final overs is yet to be tested.
Another area of uncertainty is leadership, as Rajat Patidar is relatively untested as a captain at this level. Finally, their middle order could be exposed if the top order fails to deliver, making them overly dependent on Kohli and Salt for strong starts.
Also Read:IPL 2025 start date & first match details?
Royal Challengers Bangalore Playing 11 IPL 2025 (RCB Playing 11 IPL 2025)
| Position | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli | Batter |
| 2 | Phil Salt | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 3 | Rajat Patidar (C) | Batter |
| 4 | Liam Livingstone | All-rounder |
| 5 | Jitesh Sharma | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 6 | Tim David | All-rounder |
| 7 | Krunal Pandya | All-rounder |
| 8 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Bowler |
| 9 | Josh Hazlewood | Bowler |
| 10 | Yash Dayal | Bowler |
| 11 | Suyash Sharma | Bowler |
Also read:IPL 2025 Schedule: Time Table, Venues, Match List, Points Table
RCB Schedule for IPL 2025
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 22 | RCB vs KKR | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| Mar 28 | RCB vs CSK | M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 2 | RCB vs GT | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 7 | RCB vs MI | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 10 | RCB vs DC | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 13 | RCB vs RR | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 18 | RCB vs PBKS | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 20 | RCB vs PBKS | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, Chandigarh | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 24 | RCB vs RR | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 27 | RCB vs DC | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | 7:30 PM |
| May 3 | RCB vs CSK | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| May 9 | RCB vs LSG | BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
| May 13 | RCB vs SRH | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| May 17 | RCB vs KKR | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
Who is the new captain of RCB in 2025?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have named Rajat Patidar as their new captain, replacing Faf du Plessis.
With a new leader at the helm, a bolstered bowling attack, and a mix of explosive batters and all-rounders, RCB fans have reasons to be optimistic for IPL 2025. However, the challenge remains to sustain consistency and deliver under pressure. Will the 18th season finally break their title drought? Only time will tell, but RCB will be eager to script history.