In a discussion on JioCinema, TATA IPL experts Robin Uthappa and Saba Karim delved into the strategies and key players Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings might target in the upcoming TATA IPL 2025 Mega Auction.
Saba Karim discussed the possibility of CSK targeting Rishabh Pant in the auction and how his inclusion could redefine the team’s setup: “I just get a feeling they may go for Rishabh Pant because I feel this is the right time to ease him in. He gets along very well with MS Dhoni. They may very well break the bank for Pant because once you get him in, he adds a different dimension altogether. I think if they stretch it till 20 crores and if they are very frugal in their other buys, then leave aside your other RTMs. You look at Pant and newer India players.”
Robin Uthappa shared his perspective on whether RCB should look for a new captain in the mega auction for TATA IPL 2025: “I think they should look at Rajat Patidar to take over that role because it seems like you need a new leader after two years. So, you might as well do it now to get ahead of the curve and build a captain for the next three to five years. Rajat is one of those players who can actually play that role for them.”
Saba Karim offered his thoughts on RCB’s potential RTM options for the upcoming auction: “RCB can always go back to Siraj because he’s been phenomenal for the side. They got Yash Dayal as a left-arm seam bowler, which is a wonderful thing, but they also need someone to give him proper company. So, if RCB can have Siraj, then at least the pace bowling section is kind of filled up. I’m also looking at Will Jacks. He was very good for them last season. He can come in right at the top, and he’s also a very useful right-arm off-break bowler.”
Uthappa weighed in on the players RCB might prioritize using RTM cards and his reasoning for opting out of retaining Siraj: “I would go for Faf du Plessis and Will Jacks and shop the rest outside. I think the Bengaluru wicket isn’t conducive to the way Siraj bowls. He’s a hit-the-deck kind of bowler who wants a little bit of seam movement, and Bengaluru doesn’t have that. He has to depend a lot on the slower deliveries, which makes him predictable. In a place like Bengaluru, I don’t think he’ll pay rich dividends in that sense. So, I prefer Siraj to play for another franchise where I think he’ll really thrive. There are a couple of franchises whose grounds have slight lateral movement, and that would be really conducive for the way he bowls.”
On CSK’s captaincy and retention strategy, Uthappa shared that he believes Ruturaj Gaikwad is ready to lead the side while weighing their RTM options: “No, I don’t think they should go shopping for a captain. I feel they are going to stay with Ruturaj Gaikwad, and he has done well. With respect to RTMs, I think the first pick will be Rachin Ravindra or Devon Conway because, with the two of them and having Moeen Ali and Daryl Mitchell in their squad last year, it became a problem of ‘plenty’ for them. I have a feeling they might look at Devon Conway because he also gives you that option to wicket-keep. However, if they get a big player like Rishabh Pant, who I feel they might go hard for, and if they get him, then a lot of other pieces become replaceable.”
