In a jaw-dropping twist ahead of the year’s biggest cricket extravaganza, the BCCI has announced Team India’s 16-man squad for the Mega Tournament 2025, and it’s packed with familiar faces from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)! An unprecedented 9 players who’ve donned RCB colors have made the cut — a staggering show of faith in the IPL franchise’s stars, and proof that Bangalore’s powerhouse lineup has become the backbone of India’s latest squad.
Sources reveal the selectors were blown away by the consistency and big-match temperament displayed by RCB’s core players during the recent IPL season, which played a decisive role in giving them the nod for the high-pressure tournament. The team will be led by Virat Kohli, who returns to captaincy duties with a point to prove and a burning desire to end India’s ICC trophy drought.
Here’s the 16-man squad, highlighting the 9 RCB heroes:
✅ Virat Kohli (Captain) – The King is back at the helm, ready to inspire India with his unmatched hunger for runs.
✅ Faf du Plessis – The seasoned campaigner and RCB skipper in the IPL brings invaluable experience (included as a tournament-eligible overseas pick in select ICC events).
✅ Glenn Maxwell – Another RCB star, Maxwell’s explosive batting and handy spin make him a key middle-order option.
✅ Mohammed Siraj – RCB’s pace spearhead will lead India’s new-ball attack after a stellar IPL.
✅ Rajat Patidar – The RCB middle-order sensation earns a well-deserved call-up after lighting up the IPL with fearless knocks.
✅ Dinesh Karthik (WK) – The veteran finisher returns to strengthen India’s lower order and provide experience behind the stumps.
✅ Anuj Rawat – The promising RCB wicketkeeper-batter gets a surprise inclusion, seen as a potential X-factor.
✅ Wanindu Hasaranga – The star RCB spinner (another eligible overseas player in certain ICC tournaments) expected to bamboozle batters with his variations.
✅ Harshal Patel – RCB’s death-over specialist is back to nail the yorkers in crunch moments.
Joining them are:
✅ Rohit Sharma – India’s experienced opener adds steel and stability at the top.
✅ Shubman Gill – Young gun expected to form a dynamic opening partnership with Rohit.
✅ Suryakumar Yadav (Vice-Captain) – The world’s No. 1 T20 batter will look to dictate terms in the middle overs.
✅ Hardik Pandya – The seam-bowling all-rounder provides balance and late-innings firepower.
✅ Ravindra Jadeja – India’s all-format superstar with bat, ball, and field.
✅ Jasprit Bumrah – The premier fast bowler, fresh from injury rehab, ready to spearhead the attack.
✅ Kuldeep Yadav – Wrist-spin wizard gives India a potent middle-overs weapon.
The announcement has set social media ablaze, with hashtags like #RCBArmy, #TeamIndiaSquad, and #KohliReturns trending within minutes. Fans hailed the BCCI’s call as a reward for RCB stars’ IPL heroics, while critics questioned whether India risked putting too many eggs in the RCB basket.
With this explosive lineup, can India finally end their ICC trophy drought — and will the RCB heroes deliver when it matters most?