IPL 2025 Auction: Krunal Pandya Joins Royal Challengers Bangalore; Phil Salt to Open with Virat Kohli

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Bengaluru, Nov 25: In a high-stakes IPL 2025 Mega Auction held in Jeddah, out-of-favour India all-rounder Krunal Pandya was picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for Rs 5.75 crore.

Krunal, who set his base price at Rs 2 crore, sparked an intense bidding war between RCB and Rajasthan Royals. RCB ultimately prevailed, securing the experienced all-rounder to bolster their lineup.

3rd IPL Team for Krunal Pandya

Krunal, who previously played for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), was signed by the franchise in 2022 for Rs 8.25 crore following a bidding battle with Gujarat Titans. Before LSG, the Baroda cricketer was a key member of the Mumbai Indians from 2016 to 2021, playing a significant role in their three IPL title wins during his stint.

Over his IPL career, Krunal has appeared in 127 matches, amassing 1,647 runs and taking 76 wickets. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable addition to the RCB squad.

Phil Salt to Partner Virat Kohli at the Top

RCB's head coach, Andy Flower, has revealed plans to open with England's aggressive batter Phil Salt alongside Virat Kohli. "We got a lot of our first options, actually. We're really happy with where we stand at the moment," said Flower. "It was crucial for us to have someone with Salt's aggression to partner Virat. His power at the top will set a strong foundation."

With the addition of power-hitter Liam Livingstone in the middle order, RCB's batting lineup looks formidable. Livingstone will be joined by Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma, adding depth and explosiveness to RCB's middle-order batting. "Livingstone is really exciting to have alongside Rajat and Jitesh. He's a player with his best still ahead of him," added Flower.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya Strengthen the Bowling Attack

The acquisition of veteran Indian seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has further enhanced RCB's bowling arsenal. Bhuvneshwar's experience and skill will be a great asset, especially in tandem with Australian quick Josh Hazlewood and the versatile Krunal Pandya. Flower expressed his excitement about the additions: "It was really great to get Bhuvi today. His skill, along with Krunal's level of expertise, will complement Hazlewood when he returns."

Flower also highlighted the depth in their pace department, with Yash Dayal and Rasikh Salam competing for places. "We saw what Yash Dayal did last year. With Rasikh vying for a spot as well, we're confident in our bowling depth, especially for the conditions at Chinnaswamy Stadium," he said.

Faf du Plessis's Departure from RCB

Flower also addressed the decision not to bring back former RCB captain Faf du Plessis. While Faf was a key figure in RCB's leadership and batting setup, the franchise prioritized securing an opening batsman with wicketkeeping skills, a role now filled by Salt. "There were multiple discussions about Faf. He's been a wonderful leader and is in great form, but securing an opening batsman and a keeper was the priority," said Flower. "Unfortunately, it didn't work out for Faf this time."

RCB's Vision for IPL 2025

With these new signings, RCB is shaping up as a balanced team with a mix of experienced internationals and promising Indian players. The franchise's decision to invest in players like Krunal Pandya, Phil Salt, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar reflects their ambition to end their title drought and achieve IPL glory.

RCB fans will eagerly anticipate how these moves pay off as the team heads into the IPL 2025 season with renewed hope and a well-rounded squad. With Virat Kohli set to lead at the top, alongside power hitters and skilled bowlers, RCB aims to create a winning formula this season.