Bengaluru (Karnataka), November 25 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made a statement at the IPL 2025 mega auction, securing England opener Phil Salt for a whopping Rs 11.5 crore and Indian wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma. The team cited Salt’s explosiveness in the powerplay and Jitesh’s middle-order firepower as key factors behind their acquisitions.
Phil Salt: Powerplay Game-Changer
RCB outbid fierce competition from Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to sign Phil Salt. The bidding war, which began at Rs 2 crore, escalated rapidly past Rs 10 crore before RCB sealed the deal at Rs 11.5 crore.
Speaking on Salt’s signing, RCB’s Dinesh Karthik expressed enthusiasm for the dynamic opener.
“Phil Salt, what have I got to say? He is explosive. He is someone who can take on in the power play. Great attitude. Nice guy to have around in the team. Everything about him says he is the kind of guy that RCB would love to have,” Karthik said in a statement.
Salt’s Career Highlights:
- T20I Record: 1,106 runs in 38 matches for England at an average of 36.86 and a strike rate of 165.32, with 3 centuries and 4 fifties.
- T20 Career: 6,517 runs in 268 matches at a strike rate of over 155, including 3 centuries and 41 fifties.
- IPL 2024: Played a pivotal role in KKR’s title-winning season, scoring 435 runs in 12 matches at a strike rate of 182.00, with 4 half-centuries.
Jitesh Sharma: Middle-Order Explosiveness
RCB also snapped up Jitesh Sharma, a proven IPL performer and fringe player for the Indian national team. Karthik highlighted Jitesh’s suitability for RCB’s playing conditions.
“He is a very explosive middle-order batsman. We wanted someone who is on the fringes of the Indian team and he is right there. We have seen what he can do in the IPL. Has got areas that he can hit and RCB being a ground where you can play spin well, he comes as a very, very good option,” Karthik said.
Jitesh’s Career Highlights:
- T20I Record: 100 runs in 9 matches for India, with a best score of 35.
- IPL Record with PBKS (2022-2024): 730 runs in 40 matches at a strike rate of 151.14, with a top score of 49*.
Wicketkeeping Decisions Pending
RCB now faces a choice between Salt and Jitesh for the wicketkeeping role. Karthik explained that the decision will be made closer to the tournament.
“It is a discussion that we need to have and see who is the better fielder, who is the better wicketkeeper, and accordingly figure out what is the right option,” Karthik said.
Auction Highlights
The IPL 2025 mega auction, held in Jeddah from November 24-25, has shortlisted 574 players from an initial pool of 1,574 names. This includes 208 overseas players, 12 uncapped overseas talents, and 318 uncapped Indian players, making it one of the most anticipated events in the cricketing calendar.