Trending

'Nothing against Virat... but you've got to talk to your recruiting agents': IPL-winning captain predicts RCB will finish at bottom in IPL 2025

IPL-winning captain Adam Gilchrist made a sarcastic remark at former England captain Michael Vaughan as he said RCB will finish at the bottom in the upcoming season because they have too many England players.

Sports Tak

• Fri • 21 Mar 2025

Adam Gilchrist celebrates a wicket with RP Singh; Virat Kohli during a nets session at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Highlights:

Adam Gilchrist was pulling Michael Vaughan's legs when he predicted RCB will finish at bottom.

Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell are three English players in RCB squad.

RCB have two Australian players in the squad as well.

Australia's legendary wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist, who led now-defunct Deccan Chargers to title win in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2009, has predicted that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will finish at the bottom of the table. Gilchrist had a hilarious reason to predict that RCB won't do good in the IPL 2025. He believes that RCB have too many Englishmen in their side. He said it to tease former England captain Michael Vaughan who was also a present in the Club Prairie Fire podcast.

"I think there is a fair chance (that RCB finish last), because I'm basing it on the fact that there's just too many Englishmen in the squad. So, RCB. On the back of having too many Englishmen in there," Gilchrist said in a sarcastic tone in the podcast.

"Nothing against Virat, nothing against their fans. I apologise to the fans, but you've got to talk to your recruiting agents," he added.

RCB's English recruits

RCB were criticised for their auction strategy as they did not go for KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. They named Rajat Patidar as their captain. The three Englishmen in their squad are -- Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and, Jacob Bethell. Salt who played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was roped in for Rs 11.50 crore. RCB acquired Livingstone's services for Rs 8.75 crore whereas young all-rounder Bethell who is yet to make his IPL debut got a price tag Rs 2.60 crore.

ALSO READ: 'He's not injured, he just had a feeling...': Michael Vaughan content with Harry Brook's IPL ban for ditching Delhi Capitals again

The Australian duo in RCB

While there are three Englishmen in the squad, RCB have two Australians as well. They got back pacer Josh Hazlewood for Rs 12.50 crore and big-hitter Tim David for a steal deal of Rs 3 crore.

ALSO READ: Veteran umpire who officiated in 483 games announces retirement from IPL and international cricket, says 'For the last six months, I've been behind...'

RCB's recent performances

The last time RCB finished at the bottom was in IPL 2019 when there were eight franchises in the league. In the last five seasons, they have qualified for the playoffs four times. In the last season, RCB were in dire straits after an underwhelming first half. However, they defied odds to qualify for the playoffs with a thrilling win over five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their last league stage game.

Patidar's IPL captaincy debut

After letting go of former South Africa captain, they have named Rajat Patidar as their captain who has received the backing of Virat Kohli as well.

Patidar will make his captaincy debut in the IPL 2025 opener against defending champions KKR at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on March 22.