Royal Challengers Bengaluru invested ₹119.25 crore building championship-contending squad through three retentions (₹37 crore) and twenty-two auction acquisitions (₹82.25 crore).
Virat Kohli’s ₹21 crore tops franchise spending establishing seventeen-year loyalty milestone approaching two decades.
Rajat Patidar (₹11 crore) and Yash Dayal (₹5 crore) complete retention creating leadership-bowling balance while Phil Salt’s ₹11.50 crore headlines aggressive auction spending.
Josh Hazlewood (₹12.50 crore) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (₹10.75 crore) strengthen pace attack alongside Krunal Pandya’s ₹5.75 crore all-round acquisition.
RCB maintain minimal ₹0.75 crore remaining purse demonstrating title-obsessed spending strategy under Andy Flower’s coaching.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru player biography and squad information available for complete roster analysis.
| Player Name | Role | Nationality |
| Virat Kohli | Batter | India |
| Rajat Patidar (C) | Batter | India |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Batter | India |
| Mayank Agarwal | Batter | India |
| Swastik Chikara | Batter | India |
| Tim David | Batter | Australia |
| Jacob Bethell | Batter | England |
| Phil Salt | WK-Batter | England |
| Jitesh Sharma | WK-Batter | India |
| Tim Seifert | WK-Batter | New Zealand |
| Liam Livingstone | Allrounder | England |
| Krunal Pandya | Allrounder | India |
| Romario Shepherd | Allrounder | West Indies |
| Manoj Bhandage | Allrounder | India |
| Swapnil Singh | Allrounder | India |
| Mohit Rathee | Allrounder | India |
| Josh Hazlewood | Bowler (Pace) | Australia |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Bowler (Pace) | India |
| Yash Dayal | Bowler (Pace) | India |
| Rasikh Salam Dar | Bowler (Pace) | India |
| Nuwan Thushara | Bowler (Pace) | Sri Lanka |
| Lungi Ngidi | Bowler (Pace) | South Africa |
| Abhinandan Singh | Bowler (Pace) | India |
| Blessing Muzarabani | Bowler (Pace) | Zimbabwe |
| Suyash Sharma | Bowler (Spin) | India |
Virat’s Milestone Retention
Thirty-seven-year-old’s ₹21 crore represents RCB’s highest retention establishing franchise icon status. His voluntary ₹6 crore reduction from potential ₹27 crore maximum enables roster depth supporting championship pursuit entering twentieth season.
| Player | Role | Retention Amount | RCB Seasons |
| Virat Kohli | Batsman | ₹21 crore | 17 seasons (2008-) |
| Rajat Patidar | Captain/Batsman | ₹11 crore | 5 seasons |
| Yash Dayal | Left-arm pacer | ₹5 crore | 3 seasons |
Kohli’s video message emphasized “20 years one team” milestone completing 2027 season creating unprecedented franchise loyalty. His acceptance of reduced retention demonstrates team-first mentality enabling competitive roster construction versus individual maximum compensation.
Patidar’s ₹11 crore retention establishes captaincy investment. His 2,051 runs across four seasons averaging 35.8 validates leadership potential succeeding Faf du Plessis. Dayal’s ₹5 crore secures Indian pace depth averaging 8.85 economy demonstrating wicket-taking ability.
Phil Salt’s Massive Acquisition
Twenty-eight-year-old’s ₹11.50 crore represents 475% salary increase from KKR replacement player status. RCB outbid defending champions creating explosive opening partnership possibility alongside Kohli supporting powerplay aggression.
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Major Auction Spending:
- Josh Hazlewood (₹12.50 crore): Australian pacer adds 72 IPL wickets experience
- Phil Salt (₹11.50 crore): Explosive opener brings Strike Rate 182 from KKR
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (₹10.75 crore): Veteran pacer returns after Sunrisers stint
- Liam Livingstone (₹8.75 crore): English all-rounder provides middle-order power
- Krunal Pandya (₹5.75 crore): Left-arm spinner adds batting depth
- Tim David (₹3 crore): Singaporean finisher creates death-overs threat
Salt’s KKR championship pedigree (435 runs Strike Rate 182) justifies premium investment. His powerplay dominance alongside Narine revolutionized opening approach creating template RCB hopes replicating with Kohli partnership.
Pace Attack Investment
RCB allocated ₹36 crore across five premier pacers addressing historical bowling weakness. Hazlewood-Bhuvneshwar combination creates experienced new-ball partnership while Dayal’s left-arm variety adds tactical dimension.
| Player | Salary | Specialty | Net Worth (Est.) |
| Virat Kohli | ₹21 crore | Batting legend | ₹1,050 crore |
| Josh Hazlewood | ₹12.50 crore | Death bowling | ₹85 crore |
| Rajat Patidar | ₹11 crore | Captain/Middle-order | ₹25 crore |
| Phil Salt | ₹11.50 crore | Explosive opener | ₹30 crore |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | ₹10.75 crore | Swing bowling | ₹65 crore |
| Liam Livingstone | ₹8.75 crore | Power all-rounder | ₹55 crore |
Kohli’s ₹1,050 crore net worth stems from BCCI Grade A+ contract (₹7 crore annually) plus ₹170+ crore IPL earnings. His brand endorsements (Puma, MRF, Tissot, Manyavar, One8) generate ₹75+ crore yearly establishing India’s wealthiest cricketer combining cricket income with business ventures.
Hazlewood’s ₹85 crore wealth reflects thirteen-year international career plus ₹65+ crore IPL earnings across Chennai-RCB stints. His Australian cricket contract generates supplementary income establishing elite fast bowler financial status.
Strategic Non-Retentions
RCB released Mohammed Siraj (₹7 crore previous salary), Glenn Maxwell (₹11 crore), and Faf du Plessis (₹7 crore) enabling aggressive auction participation. Combined ₹25 crore savings redirected toward Salt-Hazlewood-Bhuvneshwar acquisitions demonstrating roster reset strategy.
Maxwell’s Omission: Australian all-rounder’s inconsistent 2024 (265 runs averaging 29.4) prompted release despite previous franchise contributions. His Punjab Kings signing (₹4.2 crore) demonstrates market correction based recent form.
Captaincy Change: Patidar’s appointment ends Faf’s three-season leadership. South African’s age-41 status influenced non-retention enabling youth-focused captaincy transition supporting long-term planning.
Squad Value and Budget Utilization
RCB’s ₹119.25 crore spending represents 99.4% purse utilization leaving minimal ₹0.75 crore remaining. Aggressive approach demonstrates title-obsessed mentality maximizing Kohli’s final championship window.
Budget Distribution:
- Retentions: ₹37 crore (31%)
- Auction buys: ₹82.25 crore (69%)
- Remaining: ₹0.75 crore (0.6%)
Twenty-five player squad features seventeen Indian cricketers maintaining domestic core. Eight overseas slots (Salt, Hazlewood, Livingstone, David, Jitesh Sharma, Swapnil Singh, Bethell, Shepherd) provide tactical depth supporting Patidar’s captaincy flexibility based opposition analysis.
FAQs
Who is RCB’s highest-paid player?
Virat Kohli earns ₹21 crore representing top retention establishing seventeen-season franchise loyalty. His voluntary ₹6 crore reduction enables roster depth supporting championship pursuit entering milestone twentieth season completing unprecedented one-team career commitment.
What is Phil Salt’s salary?
Phil Salt’s ₹11.50 crore represents 475% increase from KKR replacement player status. RCB outbid defending champions creating explosive opening possibility alongside Kohli supporting powerplay aggression based Strike Rate 182 championship pedigree.
Why did RCB release Mohammed Siraj?
Siraj’s non-retention enabled aggressive auction participation redirecting ₹7 crore toward Salt-Hazlewood acquisitions. Combined releases (Maxwell ₹11 crore, Faf ₹7 crore) created ₹25 crore savings supporting roster reset strategy addressing historical bowling weakness.
What is Virat Kohli’s net worth?
Kohli’s ₹1,050 crore wealth stems from cricket income (BCCI ₹7 crore annually plus ₹170+ crore IPL) and brand endorsements (Puma, MRF, Tissot generating ₹75+ crore yearly). Business ventures (One8, restaurants) establish India’s wealthiest cricketer status.
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