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The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is known for its ardent fanbase and headline-worthy auction bids, even though they haven’t secured an IPL title in 18 years. Over time, RCB has often splurged on marquee players to build a strong squad around Virat Kohli, who was retained through the draft system in 2008 and never went under the hammer. However, many of these big-ticket buys failed to deliver, leaving the franchise in constant pursuit of their first championship.
As the IPL 2025 mega auction approaches, let’s take a look back at the top three costliest buys in RCB’s auction history.
3. Yuvraj Singh: INR 14 Crore (2014)
India’s legendary all-rounder, Yuvraj Singh, marked a major comeback to the IPL in 2014 after his inspiring battle with cancer. Initially, KKR showed strong interest, but RCB went all-in, pushing the bid to an enormous INR 14 crore, making Yuvraj the most expensive player of the 2014 auction.
Yuvraj lived up to expectations on the batting front, scoring 376 runs, but his age and limitations in fielding led RCB to release him after just one season. This short-lived stint made Yuvraj’s signing more of a disappointment for the franchise.
2. Glenn Maxwell: INR 14.25 Crore (2021)
In the IPL 2021 auction, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell became a hot pick, sparking an intense bidding war among KKR, DC, and RR. Eventually, RCB emerged victorious, securing Maxwell’s services for INR 14.25 crore. This investment paid dividends, as Maxwell contributed 513 runs in 15 matches, becoming a core part of RCB’s lineup for the following seasons.
1. Kyle Jamieson: INR 15 Crore (2021)
The 2021 auction saw RCB break their own record, spending INR 15 crore to acquire Kyle Jamieson. Although the New Zealand all-rounder was relatively new to international cricket, RCB’s gamble raised eyebrows due to his inexperience. Unfortunately, Jamieson managed only 65 runs and 9 wickets across 9 matches before being released the next season, marking one of RCB’s biggest auction flops.
As RCB gears up for the IPL 2025 mega auction, they’re hoping to avoid past pitfalls while constructing a competitive squad. With a track record of high-risk buys, RCB fans will be eagerly watching to see if this year’s auction can bring lasting impact.
