Overview
- Anil Kumble said Venkatesh Iyer is unlikely to be in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s opening XI, a view Sanjay Bangar also expressed about a settled side.
- Post‑auction role mapping highlighted Jacob Duffy as cover for Josh Hazlewood, Jordan Cox as a like‑for‑like for Phil Salt, and Mangesh Yadav as backup to Yash Dayal.
- Head coach Andy Flower welcomed Iyer’s leadership qualities and said the franchise is pleased to have secured him after a bidding tussle with Kolkata Knight Riders.
- RCB bought Madhya Pradesh all‑rounder Mangesh Yadav for Rs 5.2 crore after a multi‑team bidding battle that included 41 bids, with the 23‑year‑old saying the attention has been overwhelming.
- Yadav, a left‑arm seamer who touches close to 140 km/h and topped the 2025 Madhya Pradesh Premier League with 14 wickets in six matches, said his immediate focus remains the Vijay Hazare Trophy.