That One Handshake at IPL Auction That Transformed RCB’s Fate

ByAnupam Pandey,SportsCafe Editor

Today at 5:16 PM

One Handshake at the Mega Auction has turned out to be a game-changer for MI and RCB both. RCB got beasts to their line-up such as Romario Shepherd and Tim David. On the other hand, Mumbai Indians got a fine all-rounder in the form of Will Jacks.

That One Handshake at IPL Auction That Transformed RCB’s Fate.

A handshake is often known as a token of friendship, as it benefits both parties. But in the case of a handshake between NI and RCB, it seems that RCB had taken up the most advantage. During the Mega Auction for the IPL 2025, MI and RCB silently traded their players with each other, and didn't even use the Right to Match card.

It all started with the bidding for Tim David. RCB was able to get David to their line-up for just 3 crore rupees, and Mumbai Indians didn't use their Right to Match card. After that, Will Jacks, who played for RCB in the IPL 2024 season, went to the auction table. Mumbai Indians started to bid for him and eventually got him for 5.25 crore rupees.

RCB was asked whether they want to use the Right to Match card or not. But the team denied using the same, as Anant Ambani went to the RCB table and shook hands with the team. With this handshake, the IPL has turned out to be more dramatic for both of these teams.

How This Handshake Helped RCB?

The handshake with the five time IPL champions also helped RCB to open its bank in the IPL after 17 seasons. Royal Challengers Bengaluru didn't only get Tim David, who was a former player of Mumbai Indians. They also got another former MI player, and it was Romario Shepherd. This deal turned out to be a lot beneficial for them to a great extent.

Pic Source: ESPNcricinfo

Tim David played a crucial role for RCB in the IPL 2025 season, and he is even continuing to do the same for them this tournament. In the last game against Chennai Super Kings, Tim David was one of the finest batters for the team, scoring 70 runs in the death overs, which also helped RCB to score 250 runs in their innings.

Tim David in IPL 2025:

Innings: 9
Not Out: 6
Runs: 187
Average: 62.33
Strike Rate: 185.14
50s: 1

David was one of the key finishers for the team in the last season, along with Romario Shepherd. With these two players in the death overs, it has remained a nightmare for the bowlers when they are going against RCB. It should also be noted that this deal helped RCB to such a great extent, that the team went on to win its first ever IPL final in the last season.

Following that, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have also received a strong start to the current season. With two wins in two games, they stand among the top teams in the table, being a contender to win the title yet again.

Did it Benefit Mumbai Indians?

Now the real question arises whether the handshake with RCB did benefit Mumbai Indians or not? Mumbai Indians had given a great performance in the last season, as they managed to reach Qualifier 2 in the campaign. But the team lost to Punjab Kings in a crucial game, missing out on the finals once again.

While the team got Will Jacks for a whopping price of 5.25 crore, it was not as worth as RCB received for Tim David. Jacks was only able to score 233 runs for the team in the last season, and he is yet to play a game for them in the current edition. Moreover, questions were raised on his strike rate, as it went from 175 to 135 in just one season.

acks was only able to score 233 runs for the team in the last season.

Pic Source: ESPNcricinfo

But it should also be noted that Will Jacks gave his best for England in the T20 World Cup 2026. He was also able to win multiple POTM awards, helping England to reach the semi-final stage. Despite his best efforts, the team ended up losing the semi-final against India in a close game.

While the handshake between MI and RCB has helped RCB a lot, Mumbai are yet to reap its benefits.