IPL Auction 2020: 3 Biggest buys for RCB

With the ouster of star players such as Shimron Hetmyer, Colin de Grandhomme, Marcus Stoinis and Nathan Coulter-Nile, the new team management of RCB showed that they're here to shake things up a little and "play bold".

While Hetmyer, Stoinis, and Coulter-Nile had massive paydays at the auction, what seemed interesting is that the RCB table wasn't even seen placing a single bid on the players that they had ousted, barring that of Dale Steyn who was bought at base price in the last round of the auction. This was a clear indication that there are going to be some changes in the Royal Challengers winds!

Before the auctions, it was clear what RCB needed. The main concern for them would have been to strengthen their bowling department by bringing in a premium overseas pacer who could lead the bowling department. With seasoned campaigners like Umesh Yadav already a part of the side, someone like a Pat Cummins would've been their first choice. Apart from this, they also needed a wicket-keeper batsman who could be a backup for Parthiv Patel, a batsman who could strengthen their middle order as well as a fast-bowling all-rounder who could hit a long ball.

Mike Hesson and co. looked a very busy side on the 19th of December at the auction table, having been involved in bidding wars for players such as Pat Cummins, Alex Carey, Varun Chakravarthy and Rahul Tripathi, though they didn't have too much to show for it until the second half of the auction due to other teams outbidding them.

However, the RCB think tank did what they do best at the auctions, i.e., make heads turn! Having made buys that either surprised or delighted fans, here are the 3 biggest buys that will be playing under captain Kohli in RCB's 2020 IPL campaign.

---

#3 Kane Richardson - ₹4 crore

Kane Richardson while playing for the Melbourne Renegades

The 28-year-old South Australian came in as a surprise buy to most RCB fans watching the auction, but the management revealed that roping in the pacer was a part of their plans. With an economy of 8.4 in the IPL, Kane Richardson at times has proven to be a bit expensive. But with 18 wickets from just 14 games, it also shows that he's a wicket-taker who hasn't been given a stint long enough to prove that he has what it takes. Having been a part of RCB's 2016 squad that reached the finals, Richardson will be eager to come back in and show the team that he's worth the money they spent on him.

While he's not likely to be a part of the team's starting XI, he's bound to be a surefire replacement to the injury-prone fast bowling veteran, Dale Steyn.

#2 Aaron Finch - ₹4.4 crore

Aaron Finch in action for the Melbourne Renegades

The Australian T20I skipper is all but ready to play bold for the Virat Kohli led unit. Having been in red hot form for Australia and in the domestic circuits in T20, Aaron Finch will be raring to make it big in the IPL; a tournament in which he averages just 26 with the bat. With the batting line up of RCB looking set to fire, we can expect Finch to be given complete freedom to go out and make the most out of it in the middle.

Apart from the value Finch adds at the top of the order with the bat, his insights could help Virat Kohli and co make better decisions. Having successfully led Australia in many T20I matches, Finch will be an active part of the leadership team in the RCB camp and will hopefully be able to contribute to giving the fans what they've wanted for 12 years now - that's right, the trophy.

#1 Chris Morris - ₹10 crore

Chris Morris is a hard-hitting all-rounder who can don the finisher's role for RCB

The South African fast bowling all-rounder was always going to be a great addition to the RCB outfit. A batting average of 27 and a bowling economy of just under 8 in the IPL are great numbers to have to your name. As a bowler, Chris Morris can be very effective in the death overs, and it's no secret that that is one of the areas where RCB has really struggled. As a batsman, he can don the role of a finisher, along with the likes of Shivam Dube or Gurkeerat Singh Mann, which would take the pressure off of De Villiers and Kohli and allow them to play freely.

However, the only concern regarding Chris Morris is his recent form. Having had an abysmal IPL 2019 with the Delhi Capitals, and not having played much cricket all year round, Morris may struggle to pick up the tempo right from the word go. If the gamble does come good, we might see Morris add a balance to the RCB side like never seen before!