IPL 2025: 5 RCB players who were benched for majority of the season despite huge salaries

Ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League, Royal Challengers Bangalore made some audacious squad additions, relying on a combination of experience and talent to strengthen their campaign.  Nevertheless, a number of expensive players ended up sitting out most of the season.

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These expensive names received little on-field play, possibly as a result of tactical changes, poor form, or team balance.  As the RCB season progressed, their underutilization became a topic of conversation.

Here are the 5 RCB players who were benched for majority of the season despite huge salaries in IPL 2025:

1. Rasikh Dar

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Rasikh Dar, who was purchased for ₹6 crore, participated in just two IPL 2025 games and bowled six overs while scoring 70 runs and getting one wicket. With players like Hazlewood and Thushara in their pace attack, RCB made it impossible for Dar to get in. The management found it challenging to trust him in important games because he was not bowling.  

Despite his expensive price tag, Dar had no meaningful influence and was essentially unnoticeable after taking one wicket and scoring 70 runs in two games. Dar was benched the entire time because RCB valued experience and death over expertise.

2. Nuwan Thushara

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Nuwan Thushara, who cost ₹1.6 crore, played in just one game and gave up 26 runs for one wicket. Thushara was pushed out of the running by RCB's already strong international pace possibilities. His costly outing cost him subsequent games because there was little margin for error. 

Thushara continued to be a backup as RCB stuck to a predetermined bowling combination.  His brief and ineffectual involvement was not commensurate with his high cost.

3. Romario Shepherd

Romario Shepherd, who cost ₹1.5 crore to sign, only appeared in 8 IPL 2025 games and claimed 6 wickets. In addition, he scored 70 runs, including 50 off 14 balls. Even though he could hit hard, RCB was unable to defend his inclusion in the starting lineup.

Shepherd did not stand out in a team that was already stacked high with all-rounders and only played because Tim David was injured. He stayed under the radar because of his high economy and lack of rhythm. In the end, his pay greatly exceeded his influence.

4. Jacob Bethell

Jacob Bethell, who was purchased as a dynamic all-rounder, played in just two games and scored 67 runs with a strike rate of 171. He didn't bowl a single over despite those respectable figures, and he left in the middle of the season to serve his country. That broke the flow and disqualified him from RCB's future plans.

His chances of a comeback were undermined when RCB was compelled to sign a replacement due to his departure. Despite his talent, he was an unpredictable choice due to his inconsistent presence. He was benched most of the time due to availability difficulties rather than form.

5. Swapnil Singh

Swapnil Singh was kept for squad depth; however, he missed all of the season's games. Krunal Pandya and Yuzvendra Chahal were key members of RCB's spin bowling attack. Therefore, even as a utility player, Swapnil had no role.

There was no reason to select him, given his IPL record of 7 wickets in 14 games. He was easy to ignore in the absence of exceptional domestic form. Despite being a cheap purchase, he was forgotten because of his lack of participation.

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