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SPORTS NOVEMBER 08, 2024 | The Indian Eye 42

IPL 2025

Virat Kohli retained by the Royal Challengers

Bangalore as LSG part ways with KL Rahul

The upcoming IPL season is expected to be an exciting one,

with high-profile players entering the auction pool

OUR BUREAU than two minutes. That was Nicholas
Pooran. We have two capped reten-
Bengaluru
tions: Ravi Bishnoi and Mayank Ya-
irat Kohli has been retained by dav, and two uncapped retentions:
the Royal Challengers Banga- Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni. It
Vlore (RCB) for a staggering Rs was a process involving Zaheer Khan,
21 crore for IPL 2025. Justin Langer, and the analyst,” Go-
Royal Challengers Bengaluru enka said in the video.
posted a video of Virat Kohli on their He added, “The mindset was
X handle on Thursday. simple: to go with players who have a
In the video, Kohli expressed winning mentality, who prioritise the
deep gratitude for the unwaver- team over personal goals. We wanted
ing support from the RCB fans and to retain as much of the core as we
vowed to strive for the elusive IPL could.”
title during the next three-year cycle. Goenka also noted, “We’ve re-
RCB unveiled their retention tained three bowlers from previous
list ahead of the October 31 dead- seasons, all Indians. Pooran was an
line, which included some surprising obvious choice for everyone. Ayush
omissions. While Virat Kohli, Rajat has done well for us at No.6 or No.7.”
Patidar, and Yash Dayal were re- KL Rahul’s stint with LSG saw
tained, the franchise decided to re- him play 14 matches in the IPL 2024
lease prominent players such as Mo- season, where he scored 520 runs at
hammed Siraj, Glenn Maxwell, and an average of 37.14. However, his
former captain Faf du Plessis. Kohli’s strike rate of 136.13 faced consid-
retention as the top pick, command- erable criticism, with many arguing
ing a salary of INR 21 crore, was an that his approach often hampered the
expected move given his long-stand- team’s overall performance. Over his
ing association with the team since the three seasons with LSG, Rahul partic-
IPL’s inception in 2008. Virat Kohli (ANI) ipated in 38 matches, amassing over
In his video message, Kohli re- 1,200 runs, though his style remained
flected on his journey with RCB, not- thus far. Kohli emphasized his com- IPL title. a topic of debate.
ing that by the end of this new three- mitment to ensuring that the entire In a significant development As Rahul enters the mega auc-
year cycle, he will have completed 20 team is aligned with this objective ahead of the upcoming IPL mega tion, it remains to be seen which
years with the franchise. He described once the season begins. auction, the Lucknow Super Giants franchise will secure his services. His
this milestone as a matter of immense RCB’s decision to retain Kohli, (LSG) have announced their player departure from LSG opens a new
pride and a testament to his enduring Patidar, and Dayal while releasing retentions, confirming the release of chapter for both the player and the
commitment to the team. Despite key players like Mohammed Siraj and former captain KL Rahul. The fran- team. LSG’s retained roster, featur-
RCB’s lack of an IPL title, Kohli ac- Glenn Maxwell signifies a strategic chise has opted to retain Nicholas ing Pooran, Bishnoi, Badoni, Mohsin,
knowledged the incredible support shift aimed at restructuring the squad. Pooran, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, and Mayank, signals a focus on youth
from the fans, which remains unwav- With a substantial auction purse of Ayush Badoni, and Mohsin Khan, and potential, setting the stage for a
ering and is largely attributed to his INR 84 crore and three Right to thus ending a three-year association competitive squad in IPL 2025.
dedication and performances over Match (RTM) cards at their disposal, with Rahul. The upcoming IPL season is ex-
the years. RCB is well-positioned to make im- In a video message aired on Star pected to be an exciting one, with
Kohli also shared his excitement pactful additions to their roster. Sports, Sanjiv Goenka discussed the high-profile players entering the auc-
about the upcoming mega auction, Kohli’s video message resonat- rationale behind the retentions, high- tion pool. Rahul’s availability will
expressing confidence in the RCB ed with fans, reinforcing their hope lighting that keeping Nicholas Pooran undoubtedly attract interest from
management’s ability to make stra- and anticipation for a successful IPL was an obvious choice, reflecting the franchises seeking to reinforce their
tegic decisions that will bolster the 2025 season. As RCB heads into the franchise’s commitment to maintain- batting line-up. As teams finalise their
team. He assured fans that the prima- mega auction, the focus will be on as- ing a strong core. strategies, retention decisions will be
ry goal remains to win the IPL trophy, sembling a balanced and formidable “Our first retention, which was pivotal in shaping the competition’s
a dream that has eluded the franchise squad capable of finally clinching the an automatic choice, happened in less dynamics.

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