RCB Poor Auction Strategy: Dodda Ganesh, former India and Karnataka bowler expressed disappointment with Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Indian Premier League 2024 auction performance on Friday in Dubai, saying fans could do a much better job on the table.
RCB entered with an auction purse totalling Rs 23,25 crores available for bidding in six slots; their top players, such as leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga or pacer Josh Hazlewood, had already been released before entering this mini-auction.
Royal Challengers Bangalore fans were hoping that during the IPL 2024 Auction, they would acquire an expensive pacer;
However, Royal Challengers Bangalore started slowly after rival franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders, SunRisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings had made some initial moves earlier on Tuesday morning in Dubai.
Highlights of the IPL 2024 auction in Dubai
Royal Challengers Bangalore attempted hard to acquire Australia’s World Cup-winning captain Pat Cummins. Still, they gave up after paying Rs 20.25 Cr. SunRisers Hyderabad purchased him for Rs 20.50 Cr, becoming the most costly purchase ever at auction until Kolkata Knight Riders broke this record at their mini-auction held in Dubai for Mitchell Starc at Rs 24.75 Cr.
RCB paid Rs 5.50 crore for West Indian fast bowler Alzarri Dayal after his release by Gujarat Titans, prompting numerous experts such as Anil Kumble (former director of cricket at Gujarat Titans) and Mike Hesson (former captain) to express disappointment over this purchase.
SunRisers Hyderabad purchased Hasaranga for an affordable Rs 1.5 crore price. It did not attempt to acquire him back from RCB after they released him.
RCB has few spin options, with only Karn Sharma and Mayank Dagar available after trading for Delhi Capitals from SunRisers.
IPL 2024 Auction Analysis: Royal Challengers Bangalore Strengthen Squad But Fail In Finding Hasaranga’s Replacement
Give RCB supporters half the money and complete control at the auction table; I am confident they will select a balanced squad for all conditions – saving money this way!
Dodda noted on Wednesday how she couldn’t believe that such an experienced team could make such simple mistakes.
Royal Challengers Bangalore have reached three Indian Premier League finals without claiming victory. While their offensively potent batting line-up has always drawn cheers from fans, their disappointing bowling has kept them out.
RCB spent Rs 20,20 crore at Tuesday’s mini-auction to find their ideal team composition for IPL-2024, spending on Alzarri Joseph (Rs 11.50 crore), Yashdayal (Rs 5,00 crore), Tom Curran (1.50 crore), Lockie Ferguson (2 crores), and Swapnil Sing (20 lakhs).
“After our performance last season, it became apparent that our home game needed improvement. Although we performed well away from Chinnaswamy, it became apparent that improvement could only come by improving at home – hence why the auction is such an integral part of the planning process, and we spent two months prioritising improvements at home based on which batsmen and bowlers would perform best here.”
“We had many discussions regarding RCB and where we wanted the franchise to head. Research is essential, and thankfully, I think our relationship is solid with Andy Flower as Director of Cricket Mo Bobat, Freddie [Wilde] as analyst, Adam Griffith as bowling coach, and Malolan Rangarajan as Head Scouting manager – not forgetting Rajesh V Menon as Vice-President and Head of RCB.”
RCB entered the auction looking to add seamers after having released Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, David Willey, Wayne Parnell and Sidharth Kaul from their contracts.
Mo Bobat, Director for Cricket of RCB, stated in a press release that Mohammad Siraj was an integral component of their work. As we move forward, providing more bowling options, including overseas options, will be top of mind.”
“We also have a solid pool of local spinners,” he noted. He noted that some had received opportunities over the past year and could play more prominent roles moving forward.
Hasaranga was hired as a replacement for Sri Lankan Wanindu Haranga; however, Royal Challengers Bangalore decided against keeping him.
Although a good spin bowler himself, Hasaranga can also bat mid-order. RCB spent Rs 10,75 crore to acquire him but ultimately chose not to retain him in IPL 2024. He not only offers spin bowling skills but is an outstanding middle-order batsman as well.
The Strengths
RCB are an impressive side, boasting several top players. Their experienced squad can also carry them forward should they reach the playoffs or finals.
These names will all prove invaluable in supporting young players.
Lockie Ferguson was acquired at his base price of Rs 2 crore via accelerated rounds. At the same time, Alzarri Joseph, a seam bowler who excels at T20 cricket, has joined their department.
Andy Flower, the RCB coach, described their auction selections as follows: “RCB has assembled an extremely formidable top four, featuring Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Rajat Patidar and Glenn Maxwell;
Cameron Green provides power in our top five, but we don’t know where he will bat exactly; Mohammed Siraj leads their attack as the mainstay and their fitness and performance are crucial.
Additionally, our young Indian bowlers will develop alongside us over the season while potentially playing an integral part.” As per Flower:
The Weakness
RCB have yet to replace Hasaranga with any suitable replacements. At the same time, Sri Lankan wrist spinners didn’t perform as prominently last season, but their role at RCB remains essential.
Karn Sharma can be held liable for this lack of spinners at RCB; Mayank Dagar and Himanshu Sharma could also feature, along with newcomer Saurav Chauhan, who recently arrived.
RCB’s Best Buy: Lockie Ferguson is a great buy, but Alzarri Jose could be crucial for RCB this season.
RCB’s Worst Purchase: Tom Curran, who is no longer part of England’s plans, was a questionable pick by RCB. Even at his base price, Rs 1.5 crore, he does not inspire confidence. The Englishman played 13 IPL games across three seasons and scored only 127 runs. He has taken 13 wickets with an economy rate of 10.84.
RCB Players Bought at IPL Auction 2024: Alzarri Joseph (Rs 11,50 crore), Yash Dail (Rs 5 crore), Tom Curran(Rs 1,5 crore), Locket Ferguson(Rs 2 crore), Swapnil Sing (Rs 20 lakh).
RCB entire squad: Faf du Plessis (C), Glenn Maxwell, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Anuj Rawat, Dinesh Karthik, Suyash Prabhudessai, Will Jacks, Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Manoj Bhandage, Vyshak Vijay Kumar, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Rajan Kumar, Mayank Dagar, Cameron Green, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Tom Curran, Lockie Ferguson, Swapnil Singh
RCB Purse left: Rs 2.85 crore
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