The perennial under-performers in the IPL, RCB will have a chance of turning around their fortunes when the IPL auctions for 2020 takes place in Kolkata on December 19. Despite having players like AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli currently, the RCB side have managed to disappoint season after season, finishing bottom the last two years. Over the years, the franchise has always focused on building a strong batting unit – they have had players like Chris Gayle, KL Rahul and Shimron Hetmyer in their ranks previously – but have played catch-up as far as their bowling goes.
The lack of genuine quicks and bowlers who can bowl in small grounds has cost them over the years, and the side will be hoping to address this major woe as they walk into the auctions. They released as many as 12 players, including all foreigners but Moeen Ali and de Villiers for IPL 2020, which could mean that they will be one of the busiest teams on Thursday.
List of retained and released players
Retained: Virat Kohli, Moeen Ali, Yuzvendra Chahal, AB de Villiers, Parthiv Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Pawan Negi, Umesh Yadav, Gurkeerat Mann, Devdutt Padikkal, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Navdeep Saini.
Released: Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetymer, Akshdeep Nath, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Colin de Grandhomme, Prayas Barman, Tim Southee, Kulwant Khejroliya, Himmat Singh, Heinrich Klaasen, Milind Kumar and Dale Steyn.
Available Slots: 12 (six overseas)
Purse remaining: Rs 27.90 cr
Weaknesses and players they should target
The lack of a specialist T20 fast bowler has always been RCB’s biggest weakness, and though players like Siraj, Umesh and Saini are good red ball bowlers, the same cannot be said of their skills with the white ball in the death.
The release of Colin de Grandhomme and Australia’s Marcus Stoinis, who could chip in with the ball as well, has further weakened the pace attack besides lessening the firepower in the middle overs. Shivam Dube, who has taken small strides into the international team, still lacks experience and the RCB team would want to have some experience in the lower order to help pile on important runs in the death. They will also be hoping to target a wicket-keeper, as Parthiv Patel is the only keeper currently.
Some bowlers that RCB should target are Pat Cummins, Mustafizur Rahman, Chris Jordan and Andrew Tye. While Tye has a phenomenal record in the IPL, Cummins and Jordan are in the form of their lives.
They will also be eyeing a few all-rounders, and players like Sam Curran along with Carlos Brathwaite will be on their agenda. In order to boost their batting line-up further. David Miller or Eoin Morgan are some big names that RCB should target. The opening slot has also proven to be an Achilles Heel for the side over the years, with Kohli often having to open the innings due to a power-hitter at the top. They might be interested in purchasing Jason Roy or Aaron Finch, then, who can ensure a solid platform for players like Kohli and de Villiers.
The focus for RCB is clear – they will want to bring in some overseas strike bowlers both at the death and with the new ball, along with boosting their batting side with international guns. With six players to be filled and plenty of purse left, RCB can be expected to make interesting purchases.