IPL Auction 2020: Grading each franchise based on their performance

#8 Royal Challengers Bangalore - Auction Grade: B+

Chris Morris

Aaron Finch(4.4 Cr), Chris Morris(10 Cr), Josh Philippe(20 Lac), Kane Richardson(4 Cr), Pavan Deshpande(20 Lac), Dale Steyn(2 Cr), Shabaz Ahmed(20 Lac), Isuru Udana(50 lac)

Boasting the likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in their ranks, it is quite shocking to come across the fact that Royal Challengers Bangalore have made it to the playoffs only once in the last 4 years while having finished last twice in that same time period.

A weak bowling attack and lack of support for Virat and ABD have been quoted as the main reasons for Bangalore's woes over the last few seasons. So the Royal Challengers think-tank got rid of all the under-performing overseas talent and armed with a purse of 27.90 Crore went into the auction with an intent to start afresh.

The first purchase of the day for the Royal Challengers was the explosive Aussie opener, Aaron Finch who will be playing for his 7th franchise in IPL. He will be expected to open the innings alongside either of Parthiv Patel or the new Karnataka batting sensation Devdutt Paddikal, this will allow Kohli to slot into his more preferred number 3 position.

The costliest purchase of the day for Bangalore though was South African all-rounder Chris Morris for a sum of 10 Crore, a speedster who can bowl at 140 clicks consistently while also being able to wield the long handle at the end of an innings. While his performance over the last two IPL seasons has been disappointing, Morris has been in good form in T20s in 2019, taking 44 wickets at 24.86 and an economy rate of 8.42 in 36 games

Bangalore also invested heavily in their overseas pace bowling department, roping in the likes of Aussie Kane Richardson, South African Dale Steyn, and Sri Lankan Isuru Udana.

While the Royal Challengers have the most enviable batting line-up in the league, their Indian pace bowling contingent of Navdeep Saini, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj will have to up their game, Saini was impressive last year but Umesh and Siraj played a major role in RCB's sub-par performance last season.