12 Cricketers RCB should bid at IPL 2021 Auction

RCB stunned every one by releasing 10 players ahead of the IPL 2021 Auction. They then traded in Daniel Sams and Harshal Patel from Delhi Capitals – leaving them to fill a maximum of 11 slots. They have got room in to fit in 3 more overseas players. With a budget of over 35 crore INR – RCB has the luxury over other teams in the auction to pick players at will.

1. Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)

New Zealand’s dashing opener is in the form of his life and with Aaron Finch released RCB is in a look out for a opening partner for Devdutt Padikkal.

The 24 year old wicket keeper batsman from Auckland could be a red hot property at the IPL 2021 auction table. Already renowned for his destructive ability, this Auckland based cricketer set ablaze CPL by scoring 1147 runs in last 3 seasons at an average of 37.00 for Jamaica Tallawahs. His six hitting ability at the top of the order is something RCB can look forward to.

2. Chris Morris (South Africa)

RCB signed Chris Morris for a whooping 10 crore INR deal in 2020. The Proteas all-rounder was among the 10 players the franchise released to make up some space in the budget purse. RCB might try and get him for a much better deal this time round as the other team budgets are on a tight rope.

The South African all-rounder was quite a handy bowl at crucial juncture of the match for RCB in the UAE edition. Morris was quite influential addressing the slog overs issue for Royal Challengers both with the bat and ball. He picked 11 wickets at 19.09 average in 9 matches. His economy rate of 6.63 was quite impressive for a bowler bowling at the death and powerplay.

3. Fidel Edwards (West Indies)

The 39 year old West Indies pacer is fit as a fiddle (no pun intended) and is still cranking up the pace, posing questions to batsmen all over. The work out regiment he follows could put youngsters to shame. His longevity is a testament to his discipline. The round arm action in itself has found fans around the world since his playing days.

Fidel Edwards’ ability to york and bounce the opposition at will makes him a very lethal prospect. Edwards has 105 T20 wickets to his name at an average of 27.00 with a best of 5-22 – His career economy rate of 7.73 is impressive given he bowls at Powerplay and at the slog overs. His wicket taking ability in itself is appealing enough for RCB.

Last time Fidel Edwards played in IPL, his team lifted the trophy. Probably just the winning touch RCB needs.

4. Kyle Jamieson

The New Zealand pacer is already slated to be the heart throb of IPL 2021 auction. The 6’8″ tall all-rounder was the find of world cricket at the dawn of new decade. His best bowling figures of 6/7 in T20 cricket is just a cherry on top.

His impressive performances at home against Virat Kohli led Team India got every one noticing his talent and who better than Kohli himself to acquire this talent.

With many teams looking to grab Jamieson – RCB will give it a go as they have the budget purse in their favor. Only thing that goes against Jamieson is uncertainty over his adaptability to sub continental conditions.

5. Nathan Coulter-Nile

Mumbai Indians released pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile and RCB can look in to fill a proven and tested pacer to fill in the Dale Steyn shoes. Coulter-Nile’s ability with the bat gives him an edge over other pacers.

Royal Challengers Bangalore are looking for a pacer who is equipped with providing them with break throughs when required and Coulter-Nile’s experience can come to the fore with such requirement at any stage of the match.

The Aussie pacer has 41 IPL wickets to his name at an average of 22.56. His economy rate of 7.71 comes in as a bonus for a bowler delivering at the toughest part of match situations.

6. Vishnu Solanki (Baroda)

Baroda batsman Vishnu Solanki grabbed attention with a stupendous Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season. He recorded 267 runs at an average of 53.40. His ability to change gears with the bat is a testament to his potential.

Solanki’s 71* in 46 balls against Haryana in SMAT 2021 quater-final was his defining knock that got the eyes balls hovered on him. Needing 15 runs to win in the last 3 balls, he hit a 6, 4 and 6 to finish the match for his team.

RCB might bid for Solanki given his ‘finishing skills’ and their quest for a domestic batsmen- given they released both Gurkeerat Singh and Shivam Dube from their line up.

7. Manimaran Sidharth (Tamil Nadu)

RCB can strengthen their domestic spin department by investing in Tamil Nadu spinner Maniraman Sidharth who was released by KKR.

His very young T20 career of 6 matches got him 16 wickets at a bowling average of 6.81 and miserly economy rate of 4.95. A young spinner under the shadow of Muthiah Muralitharan can be a mouth watering prospect to look out for in the future.

8. Rishi Dhawan (Himachal Pradesh)

The Himachal all-rounder has represented Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians in the past.

The 30 year old all-rounder has a T20 batting average of 31.85 with a career highest of 65*. He also has 73 wickets to his name.

In the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament, Dhawan picked 9 wickets at an average of 16.00 with an economy rate of 6.85. He also unleashed his batting potential in his last 3 batting opportunities – scoring 43, 61* and 35* – 2 of the innings coming in winning cause!

Releasing Shivam Dube, RCB could be in a look out for a hard hitter who can bowl some crunch overs – Rishi Dhawan 2.0 can be a fine fit to their squad.

9. Kedar Jadhav

RCB had struggled to address the middle order issues in the past. With Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers dominating the scene they need a experienced hand who can guide them through situations when they top guns fail.

Kedar Jadhav had a very poor outing in UAE but experience counts. He had a decent outing with the RCB franchise where he scored 309 runs for the team at a strike rate of 141.74. the last time round and might be the much needed boost the team needs.

Jadhav struck form in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament in which he recorded 193 runs in 5 matches at an average of 48.25 powered by a strike rate of 133.10.

10. Jagadeesha Suchith

IPL is back in India and a local boy can help a team go a long way. Karnataka all rounder Jagadeesha Suchith fits the bill. With Suchith you get a batsman, bowler and most importantly a bomb fielder who can change the match situations with a spectacular catch or a stupendous throw.

KXIP released Suchith along with Krishnappa Gowtham who can also be a handy local talent.

11. Sheldon Jackson

With the exit of Parthiv Patel, an Indian wicket-keeper batsman spot is there for the taking at RCB. With Sheldon Jackson you got talent meets experience scenario.

With just 4 IPL matches to his name with KKR – Jackson’s potential is yet to be unleased properly in the tournament.

Jackson scored 242 runs in 5 innings at an average of 80.66 in the recent edition of SMAT. He recorded his maiden ton and had a tourney strike rate of 155.12.

Other wicket keeper option they can ponder over is former RCB player Vishnu Vinod who is known for his attacking style of play.

12. Glenn Maxwell (Australia)

With a T20 strike rate of 152.05 Maxwell is a mouth watering prospect at the auction for many teams irrespective of his dismal IPL 2020 season.

Maxwell is no muck with the ball as he has 108 wickets to his name and can be a handy option to combat against left handed batsmen of opposition teams.

RCB might seek Glenn Maxwell to power up their middle order which struggles after Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.

RCB SQUAD:

Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers, Devdutt Padikkal, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Joshua Philippe, Pavan Deshpande, Shahbaz Ahamad, Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Harshal Patel

Purse Remaining for Auction: INR 35.7 cr

Slots Remaining: 11
Overseas slots Remaining: 3