Sun Nov 24 23:07:17 UTC 2024: ## RCB Snubs Star Bowler Siraj in IPL 2025 Auction, Prioritizes Chahal
**Bengaluru, India** – The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) created a stir at the IPL 2025 auction by aggressively bidding for leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, while surprisingly ignoring their own pace bowler, Mohammed Siraj. Siraj, an Indian national team star currently playing in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, was eventually picked up by the Gujarat Titans for ₹12.25 crore.
RCB’s decision to let Siraj go has raised eyebrows. While the franchise’s management reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with Siraj’s performance in crucial matches in recent years, his absence from their bidding strategy is perplexing given his national team status and previous tenure with the franchise.
Sources suggest that RCB’s strategy involved a deliberate decision to not interfere with player selections, particularly after requesting Virat Kohli, a long-time supporter of Siraj, to refrain from influencing the team’s choices. This effectively removed Kohli’s advocacy for Siraj from the process.
In contrast to their surprising passivity regarding Siraj, RCB actively pursued Chahal, highlighting their desire to retain the experienced spinner despite letting him go in a previous auction. However, Punjab Kings ultimately secured Chahal’s services for ₹18 crore. RCB’s focus on Chahal, even after his expressed disappointment with the franchise in the past, underlines their priorities in the latest auction. The team’s complete disregard for Right to Match (RTM) cards further underscores their strategic shift.
First Piper 