IPL 2023 Auction: 3 Players Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Can Target
Top 3 Players RCB might target in IPL 2023 auction.
One of the most popular franchises in the Indian Premier League – Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are still looking for their first elusive IPL trophy and they’ll be at it again in the 2023 edition of the cash-rich league.
Ahead of the mini-auction, the Bangalore-based franchise traded Australian left-arm pacer Jason Behrendorff worth INR 75 Lakhs to the five-time champions Mumbai Indians.
Apart from Behrendorff, they have released all-rounder Aneeshwar Gautam, wicket-keeper batter Luvnith Sisodia, Chama Milind, and Sherfane Rutherford.
Heading into the IPL 2023 auction, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who have seven slots left, including two overseas slots will look to build up a strong squad ahead of the 2023 edition of the cash-rich tournament.
On that note, here is the list of three players, RCB might target in the upcoming IPL auction.
1. Sam Curran
There is no denying that death bowling has been a glaring weakness of the star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore over the years.
They have relied on the services of Harshal Patel, and Mohammed Siraj in the death overs, which has furnished mixed results for them.
In Sam Curran, they will get a reliable death bowler and also a handy lower-order batter, who is capable enough to finish the matches.
The English all-rounder was the adjudged Player of the Tournament in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2022 for his stellar bowling performance.
Given, he has been an improved death bowler and equally impactful with the bat, RCB will definitely look to acquire his services in IPL 2023 auction.
Sam Curran T20 Career Stats – Batting
| Mat | Runs | Best | AVG | SR | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 145 | 1731 | 72* | 20.85 | 135.65 | – | 9 |
Sam Curran T20 Career Stats – Bowling
| Mat | Wkts | BBI | AVG | Econ | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 145 | 149 | 5/10 | 25.56 | 8.43 | 4 | 2 |
Sam Curran IPL Career Stats – Batting
| Mat | Runs | Best | AVG | SR | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 337 | 55* | 22.47 | 149.78 | – | 2 |
Sam Curran IPL Career Stats – Bowling
| Mat | Wkts | BBI | AVG | Econ | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 32 | 4/11 | 31.09 | 9.21 | 1 | – |
2. Jason Holder
There is expected to be an intense bidding war between franchises for Sam Curran and RCB, who have just INR 8.75 left in their purse might go out of their budget if they decide to go after him in the auction.
In that case, West Indies’ tall all-rounder Jason Holder might be a budget pick for them. He has been a reliable power play and death bowler in the shortest format and is pretty handy with the bat as well.
He was part of the Lucknow Super Giants in the 2022 edition of the tournament and had a decent season with the ball. In 12 matches, Holder picked 14 wickets at an average of just under 28 and an economy rate of 9.42.
He couldn’t contribute much with the bat as LSG kept experimenting with his batting position. Heading into the IPL 2023 auction, RCB will certainly target him.
Jason Holder IPL Career Stats – Bowling
| Mat | Wkts | BBI | AVG | Econ | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 49 | 4/52 | 24.02 | 8.57 | 1 | – |
3. Mayank Agarwal
It will be a homecoming for the Karnataka batter, who had played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore earlier in 2011, 2012, and 2013 seasons.
He has scored a plethora of runs while playing at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and given the 2023 edition of the IPL will be played in its old home and away format, he might add some value to the team.
Also, the Bangalore-based franchise might look at Mayank Agarwal for the captaincy role, given that current captain Faf du Plessis will soon turn 39.
Mayank Agarwal IPL Career Stats
| Mat | Runs | Best | AVG | SR | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 113 | 2327 | 106 | 22.59 | 134.28 | 1 | 12 |
Stats as of November 18, 2022
