IPL Retention: Two match-winners RCB will fail to retain ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction

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IPL Retention: Eyes are on the popular Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise as the deadline date of submitting the retention list (October 31) nears. The side which has always been studded with star players have failed to lift the title till date.

RCB are looking to build a team for the next IPL cycle which can deliver them that coveted trophy and end their 17-year-long wait. Releasing their retained list of players is the first step towards the goal.

The IPL governing council has allowed up to six retentions - maximum five capped players, and two uncapped. Teams can also use the Right To Match (RTM) option in the auction if they don't opt to retain all the six players.

For RCB retaining Virat Kohli is a no-brainer, and chances are that the likes of Yash Dayal, Faf du Plessis, Mohammed Siraj and Rajat Patidar could also be retained.

However, there are two players RCB won't be able to retain even if they want to. First of all, RCB are unlikely to go for Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who has decided to go under the knife for a back surgery. The surgery will rule him out of action for six months at least.

Also, RCB will have to find a hole created by the experienced wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik. The veteran cricketer announced his retirement after the 2024 season. Karthik has announced that he would play in SA20 League, but stands retired from Indian cricket.

Commentator Harsha Bhogle also spoke about the two players on his YouTube channel. He said that finding a replacement for Dinesh Karthik would be a huge task for the RCB.

"I don't think Cameron Green is going to be able to come back (because of injury). RCB have a tough call to say should we still keep him even though we know we can't play him on the assumption that we will have him for the next two years. I don't know if he did enough for RCB as much as he did for MI. It looks like RCB will be without Cameron Green. If he is not bowling, he is half the value he brings," Bhogle said on his YouTube Channel.

"Last year Dinesh Karthik made 326 runs at a strike rate of 187.35. That is invaluable at the position Dinesh Karthik was batting at and that is going to be a huge hole to fill for RCB," he added.

Reports have emerged that RCB are willing to sign Rishabh Pant at the auction if he is not retained by Delhi Capitals. The management must also already be preparing a plan to rope in a handy all-rounder.