How RCB's top 5 most expensive mega auction buys performed in IPL 2025

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were criticised for their mega auction strategy as they did not go for prominent players like Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. Instead, they went for utility players and faced flak for it. As RCB emerge IPL 2025 champions, here's how their top 5 most expensive buys in auction performed  -
 

5. Liam Livingstone was not at his best in IPL 2025. Roped in for Rs 8.5 crore, Livingstone scored 112 runs form 10 games. He was dismissed for a duck twice and recorded two single-digit scores as well. His only half-century came against Gujarat Titans (GT) in a losing cause. He played the final as Tim David was unfit and contributed with a 15-ball 25. He took the crucial catch of Josh Inglis near the long-on boundary as well.
 

4. RCB roped in their former pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He was roped in for Rs 10.75 crore. After missing the opening game, he played all 14 matches and got 17 wickets at an average of 28.41. In the final, he got the wicketsof Nehal Wadhera and Marcus Stoinis in the 17th over. 
 

3. RCB's most expensive Indian buy was wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma. He scored 261 runs from 15 innings at an average of 37.29, including one fifty. His strike rate was 176.35. His best knock of unbeaten 85 came as captain in Rajat Patidar's absence against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in massive run chase. It helped RCB finish in top two. In the final, he played a crucial knock of 24 runs from 10 balls.
 

2. England opener Phil Salt was roped in for Rs 11.5 crore. He was unwell for a few games as well. He scored 403 runs from 13 innings at an average of 33.58, including five half-centuries. His strike rate is 175.98. For the final, he returned after the birth of his child. He contributed with a cameo and took a spectacular catch of Arya in the final.
 

1. Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood was picked for Rs 12.5 crore. Hazlewood missed a few matches due to shoulder injury but did not go back home for World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final preparation. He played 12 games and took 22 wickets at an average of 17.54. In the final, he conceded 54 runs but got the crucial wicket of opener Priyansh Arya.
 

Overall, Virat Kohli's most expensive player. He was retained for Rs 21 crore for his 18th season. He was their highest run-scorer in the season again. Their captain Rajat Patidar was retained for Rs 11 crore and he led them to their maiden IPL title.