'In the past, we’ve focused on spending big...': RCB's director of cricket Mo Bobat's big revelation on not picking players via RTM during IPL 2025 mega auction

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) shocked all the fans and cricketers during Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction as they denied buying marquee players likes of Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal and they even didn't used their 'Right to Match' RTM card on speedster Mohammed Siraj who was brought by Gujarat Titans for 12.25 crore in the marquee event happened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. By looking at their squad there are chances that Virat Kohli will once again lead the franchise in the upcoming season of the tournament which is scheduled to start from March 14.

However, RCB's director of cricket Mo Bobat revealed the reason behind RCB's picks in the mega auction. He said that the Bengaluru-based franchise entered the auction to assemble a balanced team rather than disproportionately spending on top-order batters.

“Let’s be honest—RCB has never won the IPL. In the past, we’ve focused on spending big on a small number of players. This year, we approached it differently, aiming to assemble a balanced team rather than disproportionately spending on top-order batters as we may have done before. Jitesh Sharma is a high-quality Indian player who adds real power down the order—someone who might be able to replicate some of DK's finishing,” said Mo Bobat in a release.

RCB is yet to win an IPL title the Bengaluru-based franchise played the final for three times losing all (in 2009 to the Deccan Chargers, in 2011 to the Chennai Super Kings and in 2016 to the Sunrisers Hyderabad).

Bobat also opened up on not picking Yuzvendra Chahal in the mega auction. The leg spinner was picked by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for a whopping 18 crore.

“So, unfortunately, we bailed out and couldn’t deliver Yuzvendra Chahal back to the fans, but we’re very happy with what we’ve seen with Suyash Sharma. He’s a high-quality leg-spinner who bowls aggressively, and we think he can add value,” Bobat explained.

RCB Squad

Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal, Liam Livingstone (Rs. 8.75 crore), Phil Salt (Rs. 11.50 crore), Jitesh Sharma (Rs. 11 crore), Josh Hazlewood (Rs. 12.50 crore), Rasikh Dar (Rs. 6 crore), Suyash Sharma (Rs. 2.60 crore), Krunal Pandya (Rs. 5.75 crore), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Rs. 10.75 crore), Swapnil Singh (Rs. 50 lakh), Tim David (Rs. 3 crore), Romario Shepherd (Rs. 1.50 crore), Nuwan Thushara (Rs. 1.60 crore), Manoj Bhandage (Rs. 30 lakh), Jacob Bethell (Rs. 2.60 crore), Devdutt Padikkal (Rs. 2 crore), Swastik Chhikara (Rs. 30 lakh), Lungi Ngidi (Rs. 1 crore), Abhinandan Singh (Rs. 30 lakh), Mohit Rathee (Rs. 30 lakh).