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IPL 2020: Areas of concern for each team ahead of the auctions

2019 IPL Final - Mumbai v Chennai
2019 IPL Final - Mumbai v Chennai

The auctions for the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League are set to take place on 19 December at Kolkata, with 8 teams looking to fill a maximum of 73 spots. The transfer window saw some interesting and strategic trades and releases, some of which were quite shocking.

Teams like Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad did not indulge in any trading and released only a few players, while some others like Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab have released a major chunk of their players.

As we head into the much anticipated auctions, here we look at one major area of concern for each team ahead of the auctions:

Royal Challengers Bangalore

RCB will be looking to buff up their death bowling stocks
RCB will be looking to buff up their death bowling stocks

Bowling has always been RCB's Achilles' heel and this time it is no different. With the entire overseas pace department released, and the Indian pacers being more of red-ball bowlers, RCB have a huge task on hand to create a good core of pacers, mostly overseas.

The release of Colin de Grandhomme and Marcus Stoinis means RCB now have less firepower in the lower middle order. Shivam Dube is vastly inexperienced and they would love to have someone experienced to finish games.

A backup wicket-keeper will also be a target, keeping in mind Parthiv Patel is the only keeper in the squad currently. Giving keeping responsibilities to Ab de Villiers will increase his fitness concerns.

Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR will be looking to improve their bench strength to deal with last-minute injuries
KKR will be looking to improve their bench strength to deal with last-minute injuries

One of the areas to improve might be the experience in the top order. Shubman Gill, Sunil Narine and Siddhesh Lad are the potential top 3 from the current squad. With Lad lacking experience and Narine being a makeshift opener, bringing in a regular opener would be a wise move.

The other major area of concern for KKR is the bench strength. The last two seasons saw them with a formidable playing XI but a weak bench, and that cost them big time in the 2019 season. They did not have anyone else to go to when the regulars under-performed.

With the pitch at Eden Gardens offering more assistance to pace, KKR will be tempted to buff up their pace department. Also, they lack proper death bowling options. Harry Gurney did impress last season, but needs support at the death.

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