Why Did RCB Skip RTM for Mohammed Siraj at IPL 2025 Auction?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batting coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik shed light on why the franchise decided to let Mohammed Siraj and Will Jacks go. RCB decided to not exercise their Right-to-Match (RTM) option on either cricketer, allowing both players leave to opposing teams ahead of IPL 2025.

The IPL 2025 auction sprang several surprises, but RCB fans didn’t expect two top players from last season to leave unceremoniously.

Why RCB Skipped RTM for Siraj & Jacks

Karthik highlights Siraj’s price tag as a major reason why RCB decided against entering a bidding war to secure his services:

“Now, with Siraj we were very keen on him. Again, the price that he went for was a bit too expensive at that point of time to invest because we needed to get other players. You don’t want to get into a bidding war when you know that at that point of time, you don’t want to spend that money. That’s how the auction works.”

Why Did RCB Skip RTM for Mohammed Siraj at IPL 2025 Auction?

Karthik also said Jacks’ exit was inevitable after RCB secured the services of top swingers like Phil Salt, Tim Davis, and Liam Livingstone:

“With Will Jacks, we were very, very keen on him, a very strong RTM option. But have a look at our team. We have Phil Salt there, the opener. So, you have to get power through the middle. And hence, the likes of (Liam) Livingstone and Tim David, who bring the power that we want. So, at some point in the team, you need to understand what the dynamics and what the other options could be.”

Mohammad Kaif Slams RCB for Letting Jacks and Other Players Go

Former Team India cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes RCB made an error in judgment by allowing players like Will Jacks go without exercising their RTM card.

“Jacks saved their honour last year. RCB came in the top four because of him. I remember two matches. He helped RCB beat SRH (SunRisers Hyderabad) in Hyderabad with his bowling and scored a hundred against GT (Gujarat Titans) in Ahmedabad off 40 balls. So Will Jacks won them two matches on his own and they didn’t take him,” Kaif said.

The Mumbai Indians (MI) snapped up Jacks’ services for next season after paying ₹ 5.25 crore from their auction purse. Many fans believed it was a massive error, seeing how elated the MI’s representative (Aakash Ambani) went over to shake hands with RCB’s CEO after sealing Jacks’ trade.

RCB don’t want good players – Kaif

Kaif didn’t mince words in his assessment of RCB’s auction strategy, claiming the franchise don’t desire good players:

“RCB said they don’t want good players. They let (Rishabh) Pant and KL (Rahul) go, and he (Will Jacks) played well for them. It’s not easy for any batter to score a hundred. The RCB fans will be extremely disappointed. We have seen from yesterday (Auction Day 1) that RCB’s auction planning was bad, and today (Auction Day 2) they went from bad to worse. I believe not taking Jacks is a massive miss,” Kaif added.

Dinesh Karthik Pens Heartfelt Goodbye After Siraj and Jacks Exit

Karthik was sad to see Siraj and Jacks leave RCB; however, he believes their exit is best for both parties ahead of IPL 2025:

“Mohammed Siraj has been a terrific bowler for us. One that we were very proud to have. But the beauty of the auction is that there are players that come on day 1 and day 2. So, you need to understand where your priorities are, how you are going to bid.”

Karthik’s statement clearly suggests RCB didn’t see Siraj and Jacks as priorities, as they set their sights on other players.

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