As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is scheduled to begin on March 22, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are preparing with a new-look team under captain Rajat Patidar. The franchise hopes to finally win their first-ever IPL title after repeatedly falling short over the years.

RCB’s strongest playing XI for the IPL 2025 season:

1. Virat Kohli

• Role: Top-order batter
• Description: One of the greatest IPL batsmen ever, with his consistency and big-scoring ability. Kohli has been the rock of RCB’s batting unit for years now, with a career IPL average of 38.67 and more than 8,000 runs.
• Impact: His experience and leadership skills are priceless to the team.

2. Phil Salt

• Role: Opening batter and wicketkeeper
• Description: Aggressive hitter, Salt has the potential to give explosive opening starts to RCB’s innings. His wicket-keeping abilities make him a versatile asset to the team.
• Impact: His aggressive play can set the tone for the batting of RCB.

3. Rajat Patidar 

• Role: Middle-order batter and captain
• Description: Patidar has demonstrated his capability to play match-winning innings under pressure. As the new captain, he will be required to lead by example and stabilize the middle order.
• Impact: His batting and leadership skills will be vital in leading RCB out of tough situations.

4. Liam Livingstone

• Role: All-rounder
• Description: Livingstone is a powerful hitter who can also contribute with his off-spin bowling. His ability to play match-winning innings and take crucial wickets makes him a valuable asset.
• Impact: His all-round skills provide balance to the team and can change the course of a match.

5. Jitesh Sharma

• Role: Wicketkeeper-batter
• Description: Jitesh is known for his aggressive batting style and can play crucial roles in the middle order. His wicketkeeping skills add depth to the team.
• Impact: His ability to accelerate the innings in the middle overs can be pivotal.

6. Tim David

• Role: Lower-middle order batter
• Description: David is a forceful hitter famous for finishing innings in the most effective way. His availability at the lower end of the batting line can flip games with his destructive batting.
• Impact: His batting ability has the capacity to turn matches in the last overs.

7. Krunal Pandya

• Role: All-rounder
• Description: Krunal is an excellent left-arm spinner who is capable of offering the added advantage with his batting too. His expertise in coping with pressure conditions renders him invaluable.
• Impact: His well-rounded skills bring balance and strength to the team.

8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

• Role: Fast bowler
• Description: Bhuvneshwar is a seasoned seamer who has a knack for picking early wickets and maintaining intensity in the death overs. His leadership of the bowling unit will be vital.
• Impact: His experience and expertise can set the tone for RCB’s bowling unit.

9. Yash Dayal

• Role: Fast bowler
• Description: Dayal is a young right-arm fast bowler who can bowl well during the death overs. His accuracy and pace are important in restraining opposition teams.
• Impact: His death bowling capabilities can prove crucial in tight encounters.

10. Josh Hazlewood

• Role: Fast bowler
• Description: Hazlewood is a seasoned international fast bowler with experience across conditions. His knack of taking wickets early on and his economical bowling make him an asset.
• Impact: His overseas exposure and ability can bolster RCB’s bowling attack.

11. Suyash Sharma

• Role: Spinner
• Description: Suyash is a front-line spinner who can deliver life-changing breakthroughs in the middle overs. His capacity to manage the runs and pick wickets is vital.
• Impact: His spin bowling can be the difference-maker in managing the scoring rate of the opposition.

Also READ: “Whenever I face, it’s like…” – Virat Kohli names the toughest bowler he has ever faced

Impact player options for RCB

1. Devdutt Padikkal

• Position: Batter
• Description: Padikkal is a talented batter capable of steadying the innings if the situation arises. His capability to play long innings can prove to be vital in particular circumstances.
• Impact: His batting ability is capable of offering solidity and depth to RCB’s team.

2. Swapnil Singh

• Role: All-rounder
• Description: Swapnil is a left-arm spin bowling all-rounder who has the ability to offer lower-order hitting and vital wickets. His flexibility is his strength, making him a worth impact player.
• Impact: His capability of delivering with bat as well as ball can be a game-changer in particular match situations.

3. Rasikh Salam Dar

• Role: Fast bowler
• Description: Dar is a fast bowler who has the ability to capitalize on early movement of the ball on the pitch. His speed and aggression can be helpful in taking early wickets.
• Impact: His capability to take early wickets may shift the trajectory of a match.

Also READ: BCCI announces complete schedule of IPL 2025; final to take place in Kolkata

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