Former Team India opening batsman Aakash Chopra rolled out his predictions concerning Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) retentions ahead of IPL 2025. The former cricketer believes Virat Kohli will be one of RCB’s first names to retain as they hope to win their first IPL title next season.
Chopra also spoke at length on his YouTube channel while outlining the likely players RCB would keep for next season’s competition. Let’s explore the veteran’s predicted RCB retentions and what each player could bring to the team’s chances next year.
Virat Kohli
Chopra’s YouTube video on RCB’s likely selections began with Virat Kohli as the first candidate.
“One guy to retain is Virat Kohli. Of course, he comes as the first retention and you need to keep Virat Kohli with you, both Bengaluru and Kohli believe that. So I am seeing another three-year retention. For all we know, Virat Kohli might want to be the leader again, or else you have to go shopping for a leader,” Chopra said.
RCB are likely to retain Kohli for IPL 2025, but it is unclear if the cricketer will desire the franchise’s captaincy next season.
Cameron Green
Chopra also believes Cameron Green will be high up the list of RCB retentions ahead of next season:
“One more player they might want to retain is Cameron Green because they might be able to build their team around Cameron Green, and Cameron Green is the kind of all-rounder that if he goes into the auction, he will take 14-15 crores.” Chopra added via his YouTube channel.
Rajat Patidar
Aakash strongly believes Rajat Patidar will be one player RCB won’t want to see exit the franchise just yet:
“…think about Rajat Patidar, whether you want to retain him. If he goes into the auction, he will also go for five to six crores.” Chopra said.
Rajat Patidar has been in fine form for RCB and earned much recognition for his IPL 2024 performance. The cricketer hit 395 runs with a 177.13 strike rate across 13 innings. RCB would seek to retain his firepower as they approach another competitive season of limited-overs cricket.
Yash Dayal/Mohammed Siraj
Aakash also picked Mohammed Siraj and Yash Dayal as potential cricketers the RCB will retain ahead of IPL 2025:
“…Yash Dayal, Mohammed Siraj – maybe Mohammed Siraj and that’s about it. I don’t think this team needs to retain anyone apart from them.” Chopra concluded.
Aakash Chopra Predicts SRH’s Key Retentions Ahead of IPL 2025
Aakash Chopra also lent his voice concerning likely retentions for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) franchise. The Hyderabad-based franchise was so close to IPL glory last season but ultimately fell to a superior Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team. Aakash had this prediction about their likely retentions ahead of IPL 2025:
Pat Cummins
Cummins cost SRH Rs. 20.5 crores at auction before IPL 2024. He also became SRH’s captain. His first season as captain led to a runner-up spot, and SRH would want him to go one better at IPL 2025:
“It’s absolutely mandatory to retain Pat Cummins because there are 10 teams in the IPL, and you don’t get a captain. You have to go shopping for a captain and too many Indian names aren’t available, and those who are there aren’t released. So it is going to be an interesting one. Can you convince Pat Cummins for three more years?” Chopra said.
Abhishek Sharma
Sharma also shows why the Orange Army has so much faith in his ability throughout IPL 2024. Chopra believes he would be number two on the SRH’s retention list at auction:
“I will keep Abhishek Sharma at No. 2 because you won’t get an Indian talent like Abhishek Sharma. There is a lot of value in Indian retentions because it won’t be that easy to pick such players again at the auction. They will be very expensive and when you have seen someone doing so well with you, keep him, why should you release him?“
Heinrich Klaasen
Chopra is undecided over retaining Australian cricketer Travis Head over Heinrich Klaasen. However, he believes Klaasen would be a better fit if SRH considers his batting contribution all season.
“I will want to retain Travis Head but my third player will be Heinrich Klaasen. You can get other players for the position at which Travis Head bats but the position at which Heinrich Klaasen bats – Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell and Heinrich Klaasen. So I will want to retain Heinrich Klaasen,”
Bhuvneshwar Kumar/T Natarajan
Chopra includes Bhuvneshwar Kumar and T Natarajan as likely names to stay at SRH after auction ahead of the next season:
“I might or might not retain Bhuvneshwar Kumar…. T Natarajan can remain (penetrative), although he is not very young either. He is 33 but has not bowled enough number of overs for the juice to have finished.”
