Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) concluded their 18-year title drought by winning their first IPL trophy in 2025, defeating Punjab Kings in a thrilling final. RCB showed tremendous resilience, incidentally, overcoming a shaky start to the season, but they also found the right balance for their team, anchored with impactful senior players and budding stars when it counted most. However, even title-winning teams must evolve, especially with the mega auction not too far away. RCB may remain on top by being even more inclusive in depth and tactical flexibility through trades next year. Specifically, RCB should add more left-handers, spin options, and young Indian talent. Below are three players RCB should target in trades for IPL 2026.

3. Mahipal Lomror

Lomror was a member of the RCB franchise from 2022 to 2024 and contributed well with the bat. During IPL 2025, he was signed by Gujarat Titans for ₹1.7 crore but didn't play a single match. Lomror is a left-handed batter capable of bowling left-arm spin, which allows the team greater balance and flexibility. Lomror had impressive strike rates as a finisher, where he had a strike rate of 183.82 in the first half of 2024. RCB particularly suffers from a lack of left-handed batting talent since their playing XI only has Krunal Pandya and Devdutt Padikkal as left-handed batters. Lomror's comeback would provide them with improved balance and a trusty domestic asset. With his familiarity with the team, this would be a shrewd and unproblematic exchange.

2. Smaran Ravichandran

Smaran Ravichandran, a left-handed 22-year-old batter from Karnataka, is a domestic upstart. Sunrisers Hyderabad bought him as a replacement in IPL 2025 but did not play him because of injury. But look at his domestic T20 stats—170 runs in 6 games at a strike rate of 170 with a half-century. His attacking style and local attachment may make him an ideal fit for RCB. SRH possesses an established top order, which might make Ravichandran available for trade. His inclusion would bring vigor and variety to RCB's batting. Being a left-hander, he also adds strength to the lineup strategically.

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1. Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar provides significant value as an all-round spinner, able to bowl tight off-spin and score brisk runs. In IPL 2025, he was impressive with a strike rate of 166.25 and kept his career economy below 8. Having been with RCB previously from 2018 to 2021, he knows the team ethos. Sundar might provide a good complement to Krunal Pandya's left-arm spin, providing RCB's spin control. He also provides depth in batting, providing a floating role if required. If Gujarat Titans are willing to trade him, Sundar would be a high-impact signing. His all-around quality is tailor-made for the changing needs of RCB.

In a move that has caught many IPL fans by surprise, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) owner Kavya Maran has made a bold mid-season signing during IPL 2025, bringing in 21-year-old Karnataka batter Smaran Ravichandran, a promising talent who had been part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) camp earlier this season. Though Smaran wasn't officially part of the RCB main squad list, he had left everyone in their camp impressed with his aggressive strokeplay and powerful hitting. Since RCB could not find a place for him owing to squad restrictions, it was only a question of time before some other franchise came calling, and that's what happened after SRH fell short of alternatives following a critical injury blow.

The move to bring in Smaran was in the aftermath of a huge setback for Sunrisers Hyderabad's bowling department. Australian leg spinner Adam Zampa was out for the rest of IPL 2025 after suffering from a recurring shoulder injury. Zampa, who appeared as an Impact Player in two high-scoring matches, bowled 1/48 and 1/46 but developed soreness in his bowling arm subsequently. After initial hopes for recovery, he was flown back to Australia for further treatment, bringing an end to his IPL season.

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Zampa's non-availability created a vacuum not only in SRH's spin attack but also in their strategic acumen. And with the team reeling at 9th position in the points table, just 2 wins from 6 matches, something had to be sacrificed. Enter Smaran Ravichandran. Not a spinner like Zampa, but SRH decided to deploy the cover slip chance to strengthen their batting a shrewd switch in light of their batting breaks in important matches. Picked up at his base price of INR 30 lakh, Smaran now has a golden opportunity to play his first IPL and demonstrate why he's being hailed as one of India's most thrilling emerging talents.

Smaran's Domestic Form Makes a Strong Case

Smaran Ravichandran's figures in domestic cricket tell us plenty about his ability. In seven first-class games, the elegant left-hander has accumulated more than 500 runs at an average of 64.50, with a fine double hundred against Punjab that defied attention on the Ranji Trophy circuit.

In List A cricket, his numbers are equally impressive: 433 runs in 10 games at a mind-boggling average of 72.16, with two centuries already to his credit. And in the T20 format, Smaran has demonstrated that he can change gears with ease, scoring 170 runs from just six games at a blistering strike rate of 170. But perhaps the strongest performance of all was not during a telecast game, but during a practice game. While in the RCB camp, Smaran hit 88 from 33 balls in an intra-squad game, a knock that was widely shared on social media and had fans questioning why he had not been selected during the auction. Whereas RCB could not accommodate him into their team by the injury replacement clause of IPL, SRH have now made maximum use of the situation. 

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A New Beginning for SRH and Smaran

With six games in hand out of the total eight, the Sunrisers need a turn. Their previous victory, a glorious win over Punjab Kings in Hyderabad, was fuelled by Abhishek Sharma's scorching hundred. But the team realizes it has to be consistent across the board if they want to battle for a playoff berth. The signing of Smaran introduces a new impetus into the fray, and with his home and practice-match heroics, there is genuine anticipation about what he might produce in the orange jersey. Fans will be keen to know whether he is presented with his maiden IPL cap in SRH's next matches, perhaps even in the pressure-cooker match against a top-class rival.

At the same time, Zampa's injury is another problem for Australia, with the leggie not due back on the field until after the T20I series against the West Indies in the Caribbean later in July. With his valuable contribution to Australia's 2023 ODI World Cup victory, Zampa's rehabilitation will be taken seriously by Cricket Australia as they work toward the 2026 T20 World Cup. But for the moment, attention turns to Smaran and whether this mid-season masterstroke by Kavya Maran can turn the tide of fortunes for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Struggling Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have been dealt a significant blow in the IPL 2025 season, with Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa ruled out of the tournament due to an injury. SRH has since announced his replacement for the remainder of the competition.

Zampa, who played two matches for SRH and picked up a wicket in each game, has missed the last four fixtures due to injury. The details of his injury remain unclear. His absence is particularly significant as SRH has faced batter-friendly pitches at home, where Zampa could have been more valuable, especially in away games. With 31 wickets in 22 IPL matches, Zampa was a key acquisition for SRH, who secured him for INR 2.40 crore in the IPL 2025 auction.

Smaran Ravichandran, a 21-year-old left-handed batter from Karnataka, has been named as Zampa's replacement in the SRH squad. Ravichandran has an impressive domestic record, with 516 runs in seven first-class matches, 433 runs in 10 List A games, and 170 runs in six T20s. Known for his consistency, he has scored two centuries and two half-centuries in List A cricket and two centuries in first-class cricket. Ravichandran’s recent form includes scores of 76 and 101 in List A and a stunning 203 in first-class cricket.

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New domestic cricket star Smaran Ravichandran replaced Zampa

Welcome aboard, Smaran. 🔥

He joins our squad as the replacement of Adam Zampa, who is ruled out due to injury. #PlayWithFire | #TATAIPL2025 pic.twitter.com/YC6Xl6u8Kv

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) April 14, 2025

IPL 2025: SRH are struggling 

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the IPL 2016 champions and runners-up in IPL 2024, are facing a tough time in the IPL 2025 season. They began the campaign on a high note with a commanding 44-run win over Rajasthan Royals, posting the second-highest total in IPL history—286/6. However, their momentum faltered as they went on to lose four consecutive matches, before bouncing back with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Punjab Kings in their last outing, successfully chasing a target of 246 with ease.

With just four points from six matches, SRH currently occupy the ninth position in the IPL 2025 points table, following 29 matches into the season. Despite a strong start and a thrilling win over Punjab, the team has struggled with consistency, leaving them with a lot to prove as the tournament progresses.