Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) may buy back one of their uncapped stars using the Right to Match (RTM) card at the IPL 2025 Mega Auction as the franchise’s Director of Cricket hints at the possibility.
RCB retained just three players on deadline day earlier this week, allowing them to go into the big auction with the second biggest purse and also three RTM slots, which could all be exercised to buy back players from their 2024 squad.
The Bengaluru-based side as expected made star batter Virat Kohli their top retention at Rs 21 Crore, while they also retained batter Rajat Paridar at Rs 11 Crore and pacer Yash Dayal at Rs 5 Crore, which took their total spending to Rs 37 Crore for their retentions.
One surprise release was, Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj, who could be bought back using one of the RTM cards, while the Director of Cricket also said there is another uncapped player, who could soon be capped, being one of the other options.
In reponse to a question from former RCB captain Anil Kumble on JioCinema, Bobat said the Karnataka pacer Vyshak Vijaykumar, who has spent two seasons with the team, has been discussed as an option.
“I just wanted to ask you, you guys had Vyshak Vijaykumar in your squad, he’s made it to the Indian team, was there a temptation to retain him as an uncapped player?” asked Kumble.
In response, Bobat said, “Yeah, he is another player we did discuss. I really enjoyed getting to know Vyshak in the last year or so. He’s got really good white-ball skills. And he’s got a little bit of a point of difference actually, in terms of may be other people similar to him.
“He’s also very capable with the bat. He’s someone that we have discussed. We have obviously got three Right to Match options going into the auction. He will be one of the few other players we might have an eye on and monitor as we got through the auction plans.
“But without a doubt, he is certainly growing in his qualities and it’s good to see him going with the Indian team as well,” Bobat added on Vyshak, who has been handed his maiden India call up for the upcoming South Africa T20I series.
The 27-year-old Vyshak, who was roped in as replacement player in 2023, having been with the franchise as a net bowler. The Karnataka pacer made an impressive start to his life in IPL, removing David Warner for his first wicket in the league.
In 11 matches, Vyshak has claimed 13 wickets at an economy rate of 10.26. The pacer has got some good skills of pace variation and is very accurate with his knuckle ball. He will definitely be on RCB’s radar whether as RTM or direct buy during the big auction.