‘You won’t even get Sam Curran's shadow with that money': Ex-IND star's blunt remark on RCB's outing in IPL 2023 auction

Dec 28, 2022 02:22 PM IST

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra analysed RCB's mindset in the auction and pointed towards their search for a middle-order batter.

Royal Challengers Bangalore(RCB) bought six players in the recently held Indian Premier League(IPL) 2023 auction on Friday. Sonu Yadav (INR 20 lakh), Avinash Singh (INR 60 lakh), Rajan Kumar (INR 70 lakh), Manoj Bhandage (INR 20 lakh), Will Jacks (INR 3.2 crore), Himanshu Sharma (INR 20 lakh), Reece Topley (INR 1.9 crore) were the players that RCB got into their squad.

Sam Curran hit the jackpot and became the most expensive player in the history of IPL. The all-rounder was roped in by Punjab Kings for <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>18.5 crore.(REUTERS)
Sam Curran hit the jackpot and became the most expensive player in the history of IPL. The all-rounder was roped in by Punjab Kings for 18.5 crore.(REUTERS)

The Bangalore-based franchise had a purse of INR 8.75 crore in the auction and went after some 'hot picks' including the likes of Sam Curran, Cameron Green, Ben Stokes and Harry Brook but couldn't buy them due to their money constraints. Curran was eventually bought by Punjab Kings for a whooping amount of INR 18.50 crore while his compatriot Stokes fetched INR 16.25 crore and went to Chennai Super Kings. In a fierce bid battle, Australian all-rounder Green was roped in by Mumbai Indians for INR 17.50 crore. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra analysed RCB's mindset in the auction and pointed towards their search for a middle-order batter.

ALSO READ: Prithvi Shaw posts cryptic Instagram story after being left out of India squads vs Sri Lanka; Fans react

"They went searching for a middle-order batter and because of that, they went after Harry Brook, Mayank Agarwal, Sam Curran, Cameron Green, Ben Stokes and Manish Pandey. They couldn't take any of them because they had only 8.75 crores. You won't even get their shadows with that much money," said Chopra on his YouTube channel.

The 45-year-old further highlighted why RCB had less money as they had already bought some key players in the previous auction and the retained players' squad was already good to begin with.

"They are extremely expensive players, so how will you buy them? They had less money because the team is looking good. There was no need or scope for many changes. This team has openers in the form of Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Finn Allen and Anuj Rawat," he added.

"They have two middle-order batters in the form of Rajat Patidar and Suyash Prabhudessai and wicketkeepers in the form of Dinesh Karthik and Anuj Rawat. They have kept quite a few all-rounders - Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mahipal Lomror, Wanindu Hasaranga, Will Jacks, Manoj Bhandage and Sonu Yadav," noted Chopra.

However, the former India cricketer opined that despite having good players in their squad, RCB would indeed miss a middle-order batter in the upcoming season of IPL. Chopra labelled Glenn Maxwell a mercurial player who is a wrong fit for the middle-order batting position.

"If we talk about the XI - former captain Virat Kohli with Faf du Plessis, then Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik. When I say this, every time I feel that Maxwell is mercurial, and then Shahbaz Ahmed, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik - not the right kind of middle order," he concluded.

Catch all the Latest Cricket News and Live score along with IPL 2023 and IPL schedule related updates on Hindustan Times
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    At HT Sports Desk, passionate reporters work round the clock to provide detailed updates from the world of sports. Expect nuanced match reports, previews,reviews, technical analysis based on statistics, the latest social media trends, expert opinions on cricket, football, tennis, badminton, hockey,motorsports, wrestling, boxing, shooting, athletics and much more.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
×
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
My Offers
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Saturday, June 03, 2023
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Register Free and get Exciting Deals