IPL 2025: Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell set to be released by RCB

In a major development, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have decided to release their skipper Faf du Plessis and star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell ahead of the Indian Premier 2025 (IPL 2025) mega auction.

Indian Premier League 2025 mega auction is likely to be held in late November or early December. Reportedly, the BCCI will allow five or six retentions this time around and the Right To Match (RTM) option will also be brought back after being removed in the 2021 auction.

Ahead of the auction, all eyes are on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as there are speculations of the franchise looking for a new skipper. The rumored name on RCB's radar is KL Rahul, who has been serving as the skipper for LSG for the last few years.

Recently, the Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka, during a media interaction, said that KL Rahul is a crucial part of the Super Giants family but denied confirmation of his retention. This further ignited the rumors of him leaving the franchise.

Notably, the talks of Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul leaving the franchise emerged after he was brutally bashed on the field by Sanjiv Goenka after the loss to the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell All Set To Be Removed From RCB

According to Anandabazar Patrika, Faf du Plessis, who took over the leadership of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be released ahead of the mega auction.

Faf du Plessis was decent with the bat in the Indian Premier League 2024 as he scored 438 runs in 15 matches at an average of 29.2 and a strike rate of 161.62. However, the Proteas star Faf du Plessis is 40 years old and will not get younger. Hence, the mega auction will be an ideal time for the franchise to look for a new captain.

The other major name set to be released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru is Glenn Maxwell. The Australian superstar Glenn Maxwell was roped in by RCB at the IPL 2021 auction for a whopping INR 14.25 crores. Glenn Maxwell smashed 513 runs in 15 matches with a strike rate of 144.10 in that season, which led to RCB retaining him for INR 11 crore ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction.

However, Glenn Maxwell was extremely poor with the bat and ball in IPL 2024. In 10 matches, he scored 52 runs at an average of 5.78 and a strike rate of 120.93. With the ball, he picked up 6 wickets at an average of 21.50 an economy of 8.06, and a strike rate of 16.00.

The reason behind Glenn Maxwell being released is that RCB management has two other good all-rounders in the squad who are set to be given preference. Will Jacks and Cameron Green are all set to be retained by the franchise and they will be the core members of the team.

Talking further about RCB, they produced a magical performance in the IPL 2024 as after a poor start, they won six matches in a row to make playoffs. However, they lost Eliminator to Rajasthan Royals.