IPL Retention 2025: Mohammed Siraj Released as RCB Retain 3 Players

Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj has not been retained as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) announced their retention list with just three players ahead of the IPL Mega Auction 2025.

Siraj, who was retained by RCB ahead of the IPL 2022 Mega Auction for Rs 7 Crore, was a firm favourite to be one of the reported four retentions of the Bengaluru-based franchise.

Virat Kohli (Rs 21 crore) and Rajat Patidar (Rs 11 Cr) were the only international cricketers retained by the RCB while left-arm uncapped pacer Yash Dayal (Rs 4 Cr) was the third player.

Reports earlier suggested, Siraj will be among RCB's retentions alongside star player Kohli, Patidar and Dayal, leaving the franchise with two Right to Match cards going into the auction.

Why RCB did not retain Mohammed Siraj?

The Indian pacer could become one of the RTM options for the franchise as they want to go in with a larger purse into the big auction, where they will look to build a squad that could land them the elusive title.

Siraj was pencilled in for retention, but latest reports suggest, the pacer could be entering the auction. The 30-year-old, who first played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, moved to RCB in the IPL 2018 Mega Auction and has been part of the franchise since then.

In six seasons with RCB, Siraj has claimed 83 wickets at an economy rate around 8. The right-arm pacer had one of his best seasons in 2023, when he claimed 19 wickets in the season. Even in 2024, Siraj finished with 15 wickets.

The Indian pacer could still be back in Bengaluru as the franchise will look to exercise the RTM for him during the auction. RCB may also look to use RTM on few other players, especially their overseas stars.

As it was being reported, the franchise did not retain a single overseas player despite hints of their skipper Faf Du Plessis being on of their retention. With Kohli probably returning as captain, the franchise may look to move on from the former South Africa captain, who has led the team since 2022. Du Plessis - who was purchased for Rs 8 crore ahead of IPL 2022 - has also not been retained.

Apart from Siraj, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who was also retained ahead of the last mega auction in 2022, was also released. Maxwell was retained for Rs 11 Crore, but has not been consistent with his performances, especially in 2024.

Like Siraj, Maxwell also could be one of RCB's RTM option at the big auction alongside England all-rounder Will Jacks as the franchise aims to go big for someone like KL Rahul and Yuzvendra Chahal, as both the former Challengers are available at the auction.