RCB’s Retention Strategy: RP Singh Advises Prioritizing Virat Kohli
Former Indian pacer RP Singh has urged Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to prioritize retaining Virat Kohli ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 auction. With the announcement of IPL retention rules allowing franchises to retain up to six players or re-acquire players through RTMs (Right to Match), Singh believes Kohli should remain a cornerstone of the team.
Singh suggests that RCB release all other players and utilize the RTM to reacquire valuable players like Mohammed Siraj and Rajat Patidar. He argues that these players can be acquired for less than their potential auction value, allowing RCB to build a strong team around Kohli.
“I feel they don’t have any problem. They will just retain Virat Kohli, release everyone else, and use the RTM. If we see the value taking Rajat Patidar as an example, will we get him for more or less than 11 crores at the auction?” Singh said.
“I feel you will get Rajat Patidar for fewer. So you get him back at the auction. Even if he reaches close to 11 crores, you have the RTM which you can use there,” he added.
Singh believes that Siraj’s performance may also warrant the use of the RTM, but he does not anticipate the pacer reaching a value close to 14 crores.
“Siraj, performance-wise, you will have to again judge whether you will get him close to 11 crores. I don’t think Siraj will reach close to 14 crores. They will always have the option that if he reaches there, you can use the RTM,” he said.
Singh emphasizes that RCB should enter the auction with a fresh approach, focusing on building the team around Kohli. He believes that Kohli’s contributions and value to the franchise make him an indispensable asset.
“So they should go with a new mindset. They need Virat, he has contributed a lot to the franchise, and Virat is the most important player as well. So they should think about building the team around him, or with a new thought. I don’t see anyone else apart from Virat Kohli having a value of 18 or 14 crores in this team,” Singh opined.
