Cricket

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has appointed Omkar Salvi as their new bowling coach for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Salvi, who guided Mumbai to Ranji Trophy and Irani Trophy titles last season, brings a wealth of experience to the RCB camp.Salvi, the younger brother of former India player Avishkar Salvi, has worked as an assistant coach with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the past. He is expected to join RCB after the conclusion of the ongoing Ranji season, which resumes on January 23.In the meantime, Salvi will oversee Mumbai's campaign in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament. He is contracted with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) until March 2025.RCB has never won an IPL title despite participating in the tournament since its inception in 2008. The franchise will be hoping that Salvi's expertise can help them break their title drought.Salvi's appointment is a significant move for RCB, as they look to strengthen their bowling attack. The franchise has a talented group of bowlers, including Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, and Wanindu Hasaranga. Salvi's guidance will be crucial in helping them reach their full potential.Salvi's experience and success at the domestic level make him a valuable addition to the RCB coaching staff. He will be working alongside head coach Sanjay Bangar and batting coach Sridharan Sriram.RCB will be hoping that Salvi's appointment can help them finally lift the IPL trophy. The franchise has a strong squad on paper, and they will be confident of making a deep run in the tournament.

IPL 2025 Mega Auction: RCB's Mo Bobat Emphasizes Flexibility and Contingency PlanningWith the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction approaching on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, teams are meticulously crafting their auction strategies to navigate the unpredictable dynamics of the event. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Director of Cricket Mo Bobat acknowledges the inherent uncertainty of the auction and stresses the importance of having multiple contingency plans in place."As we get closer to the auction, we start considering the auction dynamics that will come into play," Bobat said in a statement. "Knowing the set orders and potential player availability significantly impacts our planning and strategy."Bobat highlights the crucial task of setting cost parameters for different player roles and emphasizes the need for flexibility and adaptability during the auction. "We're trying to prepare for as many eventualities as possible," he added. "There's no absolute certainty, but we have plans A, B, C, and D to ensure we can react quickly and make informed decisions."RCB has retained only three players for the upcoming season: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. This leaves them with a purse of INR 83 crore and three Right to Match (RTM) cards to acquire former capped players.Bobat acknowledges the challenges of building a balanced squad with limited retentions. "We have a clear understanding of the areas we need to strengthen," he said. "We'll be looking for players who can complement our existing core and contribute to our overall team performance."The IPL 2025 mega auction promises to be a highly competitive affair, with 574 players set to go under the hammer and only 204 spots available across the ten franchises. Teams will need to carefully consider their needs, budgets, and potential player combinations to emerge from the auction with a squad capable of challenging for the title.

RCB Should Target Rishabh Pant in IPL 2025 Mega Auction, Suggests Aakash ChopraFormer India opener Aakash Chopra has strongly advocated for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to make a concerted effort to acquire wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant in the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. Chopra believes that Pant's aggressive batting style and suitability to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium's short boundaries make him an ideal fit for RCB."Will you go towards Rishabh Pant? In my opinion, they should go towards him. Again a small ground, it will suit him as well. Please go for him even if you have to go till Rs 25 crore," Chopra emphasized on his YouTube channel.RCB has retained only three players ahead of the auction: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. This leaves them with a substantial budget of Rs 83 crore to build a formidable squad. Chopra suggests that RCB should not hesitate to splurge on Pant, even if it means spending a significant portion of their budget.If RCB decides that Pant is not the right fit, Chopra proposes considering KL Rahul instead. Rahul's familiarity with the local conditions as a "local boy" and his preference for small grounds and flat pitches make him a viable alternative."If you feel you don't need Rishabh Pant and need KL Rahul because he is a local boy and knows this ground as well, he will also like the small ground and flat pitch. So you can also try to bring him with you," Chopra added.RCB may not pursue Shreyas Iyer as aggressively, according to Chopra, as they may leave him for Delhi to target. Pant, Rahul, and Iyer are expected to be highly sought-after players in the auction, having been released by their respective franchises.

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction approaches, teams are strategizing their purchases. Dinesh Karthik, batting coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has predicted that South African fast bowler Gerald Coetzee could command a hefty sum.Coetzee, currently part of the South African squad facing India in a T20I series, impressed in the second match. He dismissed opener Abhishek Sharma and contributed 19 runs off nine balls, helping his team secure victory.Karthik believes Coetzee's versatility and impressive performances will spark a bidding war at the auction, scheduled for November 24 and 25. "He's a thinking cricketer who has worked on his batting. He's not just a one-trick pony," Karthik said.Coetzee was acquired by Mumbai Indians (MI) for INR 5 crore in IPL 2024, taking 13 wickets in 10 games. However, he was released ahead of the mega auction.RCB, with the second-highest purse of INR 83 cr, has retained Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) mentor Zaheer Khan also praised Coetzee's batting prowess and dedication to his role.Coetzee's performances in the ongoing T20I series have further enhanced his reputation. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable asset for any IPL franchise.Teams will be eager to secure Coetzee's services at the mega auction, and it remains to be seen how high the bidding will go for the talented South African all-rounder.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) legend AB de Villiers has expressed his doubts about the franchise's chances of acquiring star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction. Pant, who was released by the Delhi Capitals, is expected to be a hot commodity in the auction, and de Villiers believes that RCB may not be able to match the final bid for the player.De Villiers suggests that Pant may reunite with former DC head coach Ricky Ponting, who has now joined Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the same role. PBKS will enter the auction with the largest purse among all 10 franchises, giving them a significant advantage in the bidding war for Pant."I think it is incredibly unlikely that RCB will get hold of Rishabh Pant," de Villiers said on his YouTube channel. "I think he will be too expensive, and all the franchises are going to go for him in the auction. Punjab Kings spend whatever they can to get him, that's my personal feeling."Apart from Pant, KL Rahul will also be available in the mega auction, and de Villiers suggests that RCB should consider signing their former player instead. However, he emphasizes the importance of signing quality bowlers and talented local players."I have told you guys that I want RCB's focus to be on the bowling department, a world-class spinner, and also some local players," de Villiers added. "Want some Bengaluru players in there, I have heard Anil Kumble say it before that they don't keep their local players, quality talented local players."The IPL 2025 mega auction will be held in Riyadh on November 24 and 25. RCB will be looking to strengthen their squad with a combination of experienced stars and promising young talent.

Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq's recent comments have reignited memories of his infamous altercation with Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli during the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL). The on-field spat between the two players became a major talking point of the tournament.During a match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Lucknow, Kohli and Naveen engaged in a heated argument. The incident escalated when Gautam Gambhir, LSG's mentor at the time, intervened and clashed with Kohli.Following the incident, Naveen and Kohli met in Delhi during Afghanistan's ODI World Cup match against India in October 2023. The duo surprised fans by embracing and seemingly resolving their differences. However, the journey between the spat and the reunion was marked by Naveen's frequent digs at Kohli.In a recent interview with ESPNCricinfo, Naveen was asked a witty question: "Never eat a mango again or never take a five-for?" Naveen's amusing response was, "Never eat a mango again." He also expressed his preference to bat with Kohli rather than bowl to him.Naveen's comments come after he was released from LSG's squad ahead of the upcoming IPL season. LSG retained Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, and Ravi Bishnoi, along with uncapped stars Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni.It remains to be seen whether RCB will target Naveen in the upcoming mega auctions. The young Afghan pacer's performances and his history with Kohli could make him an intriguing prospect for the Bangalore-based franchise.

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has expressed his gratitude towards Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) following his release ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. Maxwell, who was not retained by RCB, described his exit as a "beautiful" parting, praising the franchise's professionalism and transparency.Maxwell joined RCB in 2021 and played a crucial role in their middle order, helping them reach the playoffs three times. In 52 matches for RCB, he accumulated 1,266 runs and forged a strong bond with the franchise.Despite his successful stint, Maxwell understands RCB's decision to focus on building a core group of Indian players. "I got a phone call from Mo Bobat and Andy Flower, and it was actually a really beautiful exit meeting," Maxwell said. "We ended up talking about the game for about half an hour, discussing their strategy and what they were looking to achieve going forward. I was really happy with that."Maxwell commended RCB's approach, stating that it would foster smoother relationships between players and franchises. "If every team did that, I think it would probably make the relationship smoother. I could not speak high enough of the way they dealt with the whole situation," he added.While acknowledging the team's need to rebuild, Maxwell expressed his desire to return to RCB in the future. "I wouldn't say my RCB journey is over," he said. "I'd certainly love to get back there. It was a great franchise to play for, and I really enjoyed my time."As RCB embarks on a new chapter, Maxwell remains a highly sought-after overseas player. His all-round abilities and experience make him a valuable asset for any team. With the IPL 2025 auction approaching, Maxwell is likely to attract interest from multiple franchises.

Former South African batting legend AB de Villiers has urged Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to prioritize acquiring world-class spinners in the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. De Villiers, who played for RCB for 11 seasons, believes that re-signing Yuzvendra Chahal would be a crucial move for the franchise."I've always said that RCB needs a world-class spinner. Let's bring Yuzi back. He should never have left," De Villiers emphasized on his YouTube channel.De Villiers also identified four players who he believes RCB should target in the auction: Chahal, Kagiso Rabada, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar."I really like Ashwin. He brings a wealth of experience and can also contribute with the bat. Imagine having the twin spins from Rajasthan Royals at RCB," De Villiers said.He also advocated for his compatriot Rabada, stating, "Let's get Kagiso Rabada. If we get him, Chahal, and Ashwin, we'll have a tournament-winning bowling attack."De Villiers suggested that RCB should allocate a significant portion of their auction purse to these four players. "I'd spend almost my entire purse on them. If we can't get Rabada, we should go for Mohammed Shami or Arshdeep Singh," he added.RCB enters the auction with a purse of INR 83 crore and three Right to Match (RTM) cards, having retained Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. The IPL 2025 mega auction will take place in Jeddah on November 24 and 25.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is fast approaching, and former South African cricketer AB de Villiers has shared his insights on Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) strategy. With Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal retained, RCB has a substantial Rs 83 crore available for auction.De Villiers believes that RCB's retention choices provide a solid foundation. He sees potential for the team to acquire impactful players who could make RCB a title contender. "The good news is we still have Virat. And we didn't spend too much with the retentions. There's a lot in the bank still, which I'm very happy about," de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.Kohli's consistency and leadership are crucial for RCB. His impressive 2024 season, where he scored 741 runs at a strike rate of 154.70, earned him the Orange Cap. However, de Villiers believes that Kohli alone is not enough; the squad needs more players with skills tailored for Chinnaswamy Stadium.De Villiers sees leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal as a priority: "Let's just get Yuzi back at RCB where he belongs. He should never have left." He also suggested a robust bowling unit, ideally including Chahal, Kagiso Rabada, and Ravichandran Ashwin. "We're talking about a tournament-winning attack there," he added.Additionally, de Villiers suggested Bhuvneshwar Kumar as an option if Rabada isn't available, highlighting his vision for a versatile, street-smart team that can excel on the home ground. "My four priority players are Yuzvendra Chahal, Kagiso Rabada, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Ravi Ashwin. We can make a plan with the rest of the money we have left in the auction. If you can't get Rabada, I get hold of Mohammed Shami. If you can't get him, get hold of Arshdeep Singh. So there's lots of options," he further added."We don't need a trophy. Forget about the trophy. We need a team that understands the Chinnaswamy, who are street smart, who can bowl to plans, who can play to plans, who has got a very good understanding about the game of cricket," de Villiers noted.With a calculated mix of spin, pace, and experience, RCB's potential auction strategy could be groundbreaking. As de Villiers suggests, RCB has a strong chance to build a winning formula with the right investments.