3 players the Royal Challengers Bangalore could target in the IPL auction

For a team with so many world-class players in their squad, it’s a mystery as to why the Royal Challengers Bangalore haven’t had more success in the IPL.

In Virat Kohli, RCB have perhaps the finest batter in world cricket, and one of the greatest to have played the white ball game. He is the IPL’s all-time leading run-scorer with 5,412 runs to his name, 973 of them coming in a magnificent 2016 season where RCB finished as runners-up.

Over the last few years, they have also had Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers as part of their top order. De Villiers will be back at the Chinnaswamy Stadium this year and will hope to help RCB to their first IPL title.

Their record since losing the final in 2016 has been poor. They finished 8th in both 2017 and 2019, and 6th in 2018. For a team with the caliber of players that RCB have available to them, that simply isn’t good enough.

There will certainly be changes this year, with the likes of Marcus Stoinis, Nathan Coulter-Nile, and Colin de Grandhomme all released, alongside, surprisingly, the very talented Shimron Hetmyer.

With all those players gone, here are three players RCB could target to take their place.

Here's an inside scoop, exclusively for RCB fans. Simon Katich talks about tomorrow's IPL Auction.What's your message for the coach?#BidForBold #PlayBold #IPLAuction #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/9kYf81eMIF

— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) December 18, 2019

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#1 Mohit Sharma

Mohit's IPL form earned him a spot in India's 2015 World Cup squad

One thing that has really let Bangalore down in recent years is their bowling, which has seen them constantly leak runs throughout the innings. They will want to add another seamer or two to their squad ahead of the season, as they are already well-stocked in the spin bowling department, with Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, and Moeen Ali all good options.

One man they could call on is the experienced Mohit Sharma, whose IPL exploits have helped earn him 34 international appearances. He also has an impressive record in the competition, taking 91 wickets in 85 matches, at an average of just under 27.

He also has the ability to keep it tight in the death overs, something RCB have really been lacking in recent seasons.

#2 Tom Banton

Banton has had a superb 2019

Last year, Parthiv Patel was the Royal Challengers’ wicketkeeper-batsman but didn’t quite hit the heights that were expected of him, as he scored 373 runs in 14 games, at an average of a little over 26. His numbers weren’t terrible, but RCB may look for an upgrade when it comes to Thursday’s auction.

One player they might turn to is England’s Tom Banton, whose stock has risen exponentially over the last 12 months. The 21-year-old was the second-highest run-scorer in the T20 Blast in England, scoring 549 runs in 13 games, which included a brilliant century against Kent.

That run of form earned the right-hander a first international call-up for the recent tour of New Zealand, during which he appeared three times in T20s. He was also picked up by the Brisbane Heat for the Big Bash, meaning that he will have had opportunities in the highest level of tournaments by the time the IPL comes around next year.

#3 Mustafizur Rahman

Mustafizur has an excellent white-ball record

With the incredible wealth of batsmen available to them, the real issue for Bangalore is the options available to them with the ball, as that is what has constantly cost them in recent seasons. As the Chinnaswamy is such a batsman-friendly pitch, and quite a small ground, it is certainly a challenge for bowlers, and a number have struggled there in recent years.

One man they could turn to in a hope to revive their fortunes is Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman, who has made a name for himself in white-ball cricket in recent years.

His record in the IPL is an impressive one, having picked up 24 wickets in 24 matches at an economy rate of less than eight. He is an accomplished death bowler, and is one of the best exponents of the yorker in the modern game. He may not come cheap, but he would be an excellent buy for the RCB.