Top 5 players RCB will target in mini auction

IPL is the most competitive T20 league in the cricketing world but as they say in such competitive leagues half the battle is won off the field where each franchise strives hard to select the best players in their squad with the resources available.

In a similar quest, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have made some drastic changes in their squad ahead of the auction which is scheduled to take place next month. On Sunday ahead of the deadline to submit the list of the players that franchises have released and retained before the mini-auction, RCB released 7 players from their squad including some high-priced players.

The big players that RCB had to let go of include the likes of Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Harshal Patel. Apart from them, they have traded all-rounder Shahbaz Nadeem with Sunrisers Hyderabad in place of Mayank Dagar. But their biggest move of the day of when they roped in Cameron Green from Mumbai Indians in an all-cash deal for 17.5 crores.

After the calculative releases and purchases, RCB is left with an amount of 23.25 crores as per their budget for going into the auction and they have to fill in 6 slots including three players from overseas in their team. RCB is in an interesting position where their batting is much sorted as compared to their bowling attack of foreign and Indian bowlers with a limited budget. Let’s see who all can RCB target in this mini-auction to come up with a perfect squad:

1. Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc in IPL is often referred to RCB as the last time when the prime Starc played in the IPL, in 2015 he donned the red jersey for the RCB. Also, he still has a knack to swing the new ball both in and out, get early wickets for them and can also play terrorise the opponent owing to his international experience. RCB fans would desperately want to see this left-arm quick in their side who will lead the bowling for them along with Siraj.

2. Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer is another fierce quick whom RCB is wishing to get in their side during this auction. Although the right arm quick has been marred with injuries if he becomes fully fit and manages to survive the whole IPL, then he could be a really good long-term prospect for the RCB.

3. Shahrukh Khan

Since RCB has some terrific foreign batting prowess in the top and middle order they would love to have a hard-hitting Indian finisher in the lower who could finish matches for them along with Dinesh Kartik. Since Punjab Kings have released the lower-order hard-hitter from their squad, he will attract a bidding war in the upcoming auctions since quality Indian finishers are not something you often get to see.

4. Lockie Ferguson

Lockie Ferguson is another right-arm quick who will attract decent bidding in the auction. In case, RCB doesn’t manage to get Starc given their limited purse, they can also go for Lockie as he can be as lethal with the ball and would come at a lesser price than Starc. 

He will complement Siraj pretty well as Siraj will startle opposition batters with his swing and variations whereas Lockie will push them at the back foot with his relentless pace.  

5. Shardul Thakur

Well-known for his knack of taking crucial wickets, Shardul Thakur seems to be an ideal replacement for Harshal Patel in the RCB team. In addition to contributing with four overs, Thakur can make valuable contributions with the bat, ensuring that RCB doesn't feel the absence of the all-rounder duo, Harshal and Hasaranga.