IPL 2025: 3 Key players for RCB in this season

Royal Challengers Bengaluru had a very interesting season last year, where they had a disappointing first half in the tournament, but then they switched on to their turbo mode in the later part and started winning matches one after another. 

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RCB knocked off CSK from the league, in their last league stage match, and qualified for the playoffs. However, the typical RCB story was repeated in the playoff match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals, and the Challengers got eliminated from the contest, thereby finishing in the fourth spot on the points table.

Looking at this year’s RCB squad, fans are quite hopeful for their team to get closer to the trophy. They’ve brought in some interesting names like Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, Rasikh Dar, Jitesh Sharma, and Krunal Pandya among others. 

They retained their three key players, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal, and decided to part ways with their star pacer Mohd. Siraj. Fans are very shocked and disappointed with Siraj’s exclusion from the team.

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Here are 3 key players for RCB in this season:

1. Liam Livingstone

The inclusion of Liam Livingstone in the RCB squad can prove to be a game-changer for them. One of the best finishers of the game, he can support the team's lower batting order and can be the best replacement for Dinesh Karthik.

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Livingstone has hit 939 runs in 39 matches so far in his IPL career, at an impressive strike rate of 162.46, which includes his six half-centuries. 

The way he plays the balls over the rope, and his ability to handle the pressure in death overs, make him a major factor that could work in RCB’s favour to lift the trophy in this season.

2. Tim David

Another strong contender to be a giant finisher, Tim David is back to square one, i.e. where it all began. He has mastered the art of hitting it big in every game. 

With the IPL strike rate exceeding 170.00, this man thrives in tough situations. He is a global T20 star with experience from every nook. He can add balance to the team by batting at the middle order, and bowling fiercely when needed, thereby adding more depth to the team’s lineup.

Tim’s presence in the middle order can greatly help the top order including Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, and Rajat Patidar, as they can bat more freely knowing someone there who can be depended upon. 

With David coming in at 3rd down or 4th down, even the opposition would be stressed even if they manage to get the top order down early in the game.

3. Phil Salt

This English wicketkeeper-batter is known for his explosive opening in the game. Phil Salt is expected to open for RCB this year and handle the wicketkeeping duties as well, thereby filling the wicketkeeping shoes of Dinesh Karthik. 

Salt was also one of the key contributors to KKR’s success in the previous edition of IPL. With a staggering strike rate of 185.00 during powerplay in the last season, he scored 435 runs in 12 matches. Phil Salt’s aggressive batting temperament makes him one of the 3 key players for RCB in IPL 2025.

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