Bhuvneshwar Kumar blamed for blocking RCB from using RTM for Mohammed Siraj

Royal Challengers Bengaluru had a different strategy for the IPL 2025 Auction. RCB took a few surprising decisions and left out some of their key players. One of those key players is the fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, who has served the franchise for years.

Along with Siraj, the franchise didn't take back retain Faf du Plessis and Will Jacks. While Du Plessis' age works against him, Jacks had a brilliant season last year and was expected to be in the squad this year as well.

While the franchise decided to move away from its key players, it also invested in some of the other players who have the ability to make an impact. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is one of those players whose experience can prove to be vital for the team.

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Why didn't RCB get back Mohammed Siraj?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru were earlier expected to retain Mohammed Siraj before the auction. However, they surprised everyone by not doing so. But Siraj was expected to get back to RCB in the auction.

But the franchise surprised everyone by not even using the RTM for him. RCB's Director of Cricket Mo Bobat spoke to ESPN Cricinfo recently and revealed the reason behind not going for Siraj. According to him, the side wanted Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the squad and he came late in the auction which prompted them not to go for Siraj anymore.

"We had Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) quite high on our list and we wanted to give ourselves a chance to get him. Unfortunately, the way auctions work out, with Bhuvi coming quite late, it's like a game of poker, to hold your nerve and see whether you can hold on and wait for a player, and sometimes you do and sometimes you don't," Bobat said.

"Unfortunately it didn't work out for us to get Siraj just because of our priorities, auction order and the spending pattern," he added.

Mohammed Siraj goes to Gujarat Titans

Mohammed Siraj was finally picked up by Gujarat Titans for INR 12.25 crore. He spent 7 years playing for RCB and had established himself as one of their key bowlers. Meanwhile, RCB signed up Bhuvneshwar Kumar for INR 10.75 crore.

Siraj picked up 93 wickets in 93 matches at an average of 30.34. He is already lethal with the new ball but has also developed further skills to be useful with the old ball at the death.

Why were Will Jacks and Faf du Plessis not picked by RCB?

Mo Bobat also opened up about why Will Jacks and Faf du Plessis were not retained or picked up by the franchise. He reasoned the auction dynamics as one of the reasons behind their omission.

"He (Will Jacks) was definitely someone we were thinking of Right-to-Match. But if you wait as deep as he was coming up in the auction, having not filled a role, that is a risk, and given the way the spending pattern works out and given that we missed one or two of our targets, and we had probably a bit more money than we anticipated, you have to make decisions.

"So regrettably, Faf, Jacks and Siraj were guys we had in our minds for right-to-matches, but it just didn't fall that way and you end up building your team slightly differently, which is a shame."

While there is no Faf du Plessis, RCB will need to appoint a new captain for the upcoming season of IPL. While the franchise didn't go for Will Jacks, they managed to buy Phil Salt, who is an equally destructive batter at the top.