How Losing Venkatesh Iyer Became a Win for RCB?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru converted their dialogue Ee Sala Cup Namde to Ee Sala Cup Namdu after winning the IPL 2025 season. Thanks to the RCB management, the team bought notable players and all of them were match winners. But RCB did back off on the bid of a KKR player in the auction.
The IPL 2025 Mega Auction, which took place after the teams had given their retention list, was the place where teams could either build themselves or destroy themselves. This opportunity was used by the Champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru to get the best players in their line-up, which eventually helped them to lift the title for the very first time.
On the other hand, Kolkata Knight Riders, the defending champions were not able to utilise the auction well, which led to a bad campaign for the team. Venkatesh Iyer also participated in the Mega Auction, and the bidding process for him took a long time, with KKR and RCB having a bid war for the batsman. However, RCB did step off from the deal, allowing KKR to have an Iyer in their squad.
| Bid Amount (INR Cr) | Team |
|---|---|
| 2.00 | KKR |
| 2.20 | LSG |
| 2.40 | KKR |
| 2.60 | LSG |
| 2.80 | KKR |
| 3.00 | LSG |
| 3.20 | KKR |
| 3.40 | LSG |
| 3.60 | KKR |
| 3.80 | LSG |
| 4.00 | KKR |
| 4.20 | LSG |
| 4.40 | KKR |
| 4.60 | LSG |
| 4.80 | KKR |
| 5.00 | LSG |
| 5.25 | KKR |
| 5.50 | LSG |
| 5.75 | KKR |
| 6.00 | LSG |
| 6.25 | KKR |
| 6.50 | LSG |
| 6.75 | KKR |
| 7.00 | LSG |
| 7.25 | KKR |
| 7.50 | LSG |
| 7.75 | KKR |
| 8.00 | RCB |
| 8.25 | KKR |
| 8.50 | RCB |
| 8.75 | KKR |
| 9.00 | RCB |
| 9.25 | KKR |
| 9.50 | RCB |
| 9.75 | KKR |
| 10.00 | RCB |
| 10.25 | KKR |
| 10.50 | RCB |
| 10.75 | KKR |
| 11.00 | RCB |
| 11.25 | KKR |
| 11.50 | RCB |
| 11.75 | KKR |
| 12.00 | RCB |
| 12.25 | KKR |
| 12.50 | RCB |
| 12.75 | KKR |
| 13.00 | RCB |
| 13.25 | KKR |
| 13.50 | RCB |
| 13.75 | KKR |
| 14.00 | RCB |
| 14.25 | KKR |
| 14.50 | RCB |
| 14.75 | KKR |
| 15.00 | RCB |
| 15.25 | KKR |
| 15.50 | RCB |
| 15.75 | KKR |
| 16.00 | RCB |
| 16.25 | KKR |
| 16.50 | RCB |
| 16.75 | KKR |
| 17.00 | RCB |
| 17.25 | KKR |
| 17.50 | RCB |
| 17.75 | KKR |
| 18.00 | RCB |
| 18.25 | KKR |
| 18.50 | RCB |
| 18.75 | KKR |
| 19.00 | RCB |
| 19.25 | KKR |
| 19.50 | RCB |
| 19.75 | KKR |
| 20.00 | RCB |
| 20.25 | KKR |
| 20.50 | RCB |
| 20.75 | KKR |
| 21.00 | RCB |
| 21.25 | KKR |
| 21.50 | RCB |
| 21.75 | KKR |
| 22.00 | RCB |
| 22.25 | KKR |
| 22.50 | RCB |
| 22.75 | KKR |
| 23.00 | RCB |
| 23.25 | KKR |
| 23.50 | RCB |
| 23.75 | KKR |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru were ready to spend big bucks for Venkatesh Iyer, but since KKR was also willing to buy him, they decided to let the defending champions have their player. And this opportunity, of letting go off Iyer at 23.75 crore INR, was further used by RCB to build up a team capable enough to win the TATA IPL 2025. Even after missing on Venky, the team bought other match winning players which helped them to clinch the first IPL title.
Phil Salt
The English opening batsman was all that RCB needed after the departure of Faf du Plessis from their line-up. Since KKR didn’t have any Right to Match cards available with them, Salt was also looking forward to a new team and found his home in the RCB. The bidding war for the aggressive striker ended at 11.50 crore INR, allowing the Bengaluru team to get him to the squad.
In this season, Phil Salt ended up scoring 403 runs in 13 matches at an average of 33.58, and a strike rate of 175.98, with four half-centuries. He also played a crucial role for RCB in various games, showcasing his presence both with the bat and his fielding skills. The victory in the finals also helped the English batsman to win two consecutive IPL titles with different franchises.
Jitesh Sharma
Jitesh Sharma, who was a key player for Punjab Kings in the previous IPL season, was also released by his team ahead of the Mega Auction. However, RCB needed some depth in its middle order, for which they knew Jitesh Sharma could be the best addition and would also fill in the place of a wicket keeper, as Dinesh Kartik retired in the previous season.
Although the team missed out on Venkatesh Iyer, they got a beast in the form of Jitesh Sharma for 11 crore INR. He played an important role for the team towards the end of the league stages, giving a match-winning knock against the Lucknow SuperGiants. Along with that, Jitesh scored 261 runs in 11 innings at an average of 37.28 and a strike rate of 176.35, showcasing his aggressive batting style. Even with the gloves, he did his best, taking 19 catches and one stumping.
Josh Hazlewood
The bowling line-up of Royal Challengers Bengaluru needed some overseas strength, and this spot was filled by Josh Hazlewood. The Aussie pacer was marking his return from the injury, after he missed a few matches of the BGT and the entire Champions Trophy. In the Mega Auction, RCB got the pacer for a whopping total of 12 crore INR, but it was way less than Venkatesh Iyer.
Hazlewood became the leading wicket taker for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025 season, playing a crucial role for the team throughout. He took 22 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 17.54 and an economy rate of 8.77 runs per over. His spells were enough to put down the pressure on the opposition, due to which they ended up throwing wickets away.
Suyash Sharma
Royal Challengers Bengaluru were so disappointed for not having a shot at Venkatesh Iyer, but they surely went for the other KKR players who were not retained. In need of a spinner, the team went for Suyash Sharma, and got him for a total of 2.60 crore INR. This pick was definitely criticised by various fans and critics in the auction, but his bowling in the matches silenced everyone.
In 14 matches he played for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2025 season, Suyash was only able to take 8 wickets at an average of 55.25, but he maintained his economy rates at just 8.84 runs per over. His best performance came in the First Qualifier against Punjab Kings, where he took 3 wickets and conceded just 17 runs at a grand stage.
Krunal Pandya
Suyash Sharma, as the lone spinner, could have caused some serious challenges to their bowling depth, for which RCB management decided to go after Krunal Pandya. The team eventually got him for a total of 5.75 crore INR. This deal not only helped RCB to strengthen its spin attack, but they also got a clutch player, who could perform with both bat and ball.
Krunal Pandya undoubtedly had a successful campaign this season, scoring 109 runs in 7 innings at an average of 18.16, which also includes a match-winning knock against Delhi Capitals. Along with that, he also took 17 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 22.29 and an economy rate of 8.23 runs per over. For his brilliant performances in the final match, he also received the POTM award and became the only player to receive the POTM award in the IPL finals twice.
Even after missing out on Venkatesh Iyer, RCB did use their funds correctly and brought the match winners to their line-up. But the main question remains: what could have happened if the team had won the bidding war against KKR?
Comments