RCB pacer leaves his team amid franchise turmoil
The Royal Challengers Bangalore are one of the most decorated sides in the history of the Indian Premier League, with large fan bases and a legacy of 18 years. RCB might have won the title for the first time in 18 years, but they have ruled the hearts of cricket fans over all these seasons.
However, after their win of the maiden title, a heart-wrenching stampede that occurred during their celebrations fueled social media, fuming over the mismanagement. Now, amid such a situation, RCB's young pacer calls for a swap in sides.
RCB pacer Rasikh Salam Dar, who plays for the Jammu & Kashmir State team, has decided to play for a different state in the upcoming domestic season. Like any other player, he would have to wait for the NOC from the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association before being eligible to shift.
NEW: J&K & #RCB pacer Rasikh Salam might play for a different state team in the upcoming domestic season. He will however need an NOC from JKCA before being eligible to shift. Let’s see whether JKCA lets him go or not.
— Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) July 9, 2025
RCB's whopping bid for Rasikh Salam in IPL 2025
Rasikh Salam has not had the best of numbers in the domestic seasons, nor did he outclass any giants of the game, yet RCB management surprised all as they bid a whopping INR 6 crores for the Jammu & Kashmir medium pacer.
Rasikh first rose to the limelight when the Mumbai Indians picked him in the 2019 player auction. He was the third player after Umran Malik and Abdul Samad to be picked from the northernmost state of India. Playing a match for MI, Salam returned with figures of 4-0-42-0.
In the auction for IPL 2025, Salam entered the pool with INR 30 Lakhs and then began an intense bidding war between Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The Delhi Capitals showed interest in using their RTM (right-to-match), but they succumbed to the price of INR 6 Crores set by RCB.
Also Read: RCB takes legal action in Stampede case; desperate moves initiated to avoid IPL ban
Why did Rasikh Salam play 2 games despite such a big bid?
RCB did not use Rasikh Salam to the fullest in this edition of the IPL, despite showing so much interest in gathering the services of the medium pacer.
He played only in 2 games for the Royal Challengers in the absence of their players; however, he did not have a very pleasant outing, going for an economy of nearly 12.
Playing in 2 games and bowling just 6 overs, Rasikh picked just one wicket and was hit for 70 runs, which makes his average 70 and his economy roughly around 11.36.
However, RCB might have picked him as a futuristic option, hoping to train the young pacer and play him once he realizes his full potential. With the guidance of senior pros like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, the young pacer would be in a learning environment.
Rasikh Salam's IPL stats
Salam might have been part of IPL franchises for a long time, as in his short career, he has played for four different franchises: the Mumbai Indians, the Kolkata Knight Riders, the Delhi Capitals, and now the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The J&K medium pacer has played just 13 matches in his 4-season-long IPL career, picking up just 10 wickets to his name. He found his best season with the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024, when he played 8 matches, picking up a total of 9 wickets. His debut wicket also came in that season.
Also Read: Royal Challengers Bengaluru brutally beats CSK again in this competition
