IPL 2020: Three players RCB will target in the upcoming IPL Auction
Of all the teams in the Indian Premier League, no team generates as much buzz and intrigue as the Royal Challengers Bangalore. With every passing year comes a fearsome-looking squad and a lot of hope before the auction, and as the tournament progresses, inevitably, comes a sense of disappointment.
The Bangalore based franchise again look like they are on the cusp of a rejig, going into the December auction with a purse of Rs. 27.90 Crore as well as the maximum number of slots available among all the teams (12 total, 6 foreign). Having released some big names like Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee, and Dale Steyn, they will be looking to strengthen their squad adequately. Keeping that in mind, here are 3 players that RCB might go for in the IPL auction:
1. Tom Banton
While the emergence of Devdutt Padikkal has given RCB a good alternative in the opening position with Parthiv Patel, RCB seem to be woefully short in the top order. With Virat Kohli, Shimron Hetmyer and Moeen Ali having to play out of position to partner up with Patel last season, RCB will be desperate to reinforce at the top.
The name that will be at the top of their list will be British sensation, Tom Banton. The Somerset-based cricketer scored 549 runs in the Vitality T20 Blast this year at an average of 42.23 and a blistering strike-rate of 161.47. He has also been exceptional in the recently concluded T10 League, the highlight of which was orchestrating an impressive knock of 80 runs in just 28 balls at a mind-boggling strike-rate of 285.71.
With Mike Hesson and Virat Kohli renowned to back young talent, expect RCB to bid heavily for him.