IPL Auction 2020: 3 players who can start a bidding war between RCB and MI

The much-anticipated IPL auction is set to take place in Kolkata on December 19th. The franchises will look to build consistent and formidable sides for the upcoming edition of the league. Teams have announced their retained and released players, along with some shocking trades that took place before November 15th.

Considered the most entertaining and star-studded sides in the IPL, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians have always produced exhilarating matches whenever they square off against each other. While RCB has never lifted an IPL trophy in their journey thus far, MI has been the most successful team with four titles to their name.

The teams would look to raise the bidding war to align big-match players into their line-up. On that note, let's take a look at three players who can start a bidding war between RCB and MI.

Also see – World Test Championship points table

#3 James Neesham

James Neesham has been a vital part of New Zealand cricket in the shorter-formats lately. He had a marvellous stint in the 2019 Cricket World Cup, followed by the Carribean Premier League this year. He scored 232 runs and clinched 15 wickets in the World Cup, playing a crucial role as the batting all-rounder.

Royal Challengers Bangalore have had woes with their finishers, as the lower-order crumbles if the top-order doesn't score enough runs. Neesham could be a perfect fit as a lower middle-order batsman with his striking abilities. He can also be a death-bowling option that RCB has lacked over the years.

As for the Mumbai Indians, James Neesham could be a perfect replacement to Kieron Pollard if the Carribean seems out of touch. Neesham can also be a sixth bowling option for MI, perhaps helping them take crucial wickets if the frontline bowlers have a rough day.

Neesham would be an X-factor as RCB and MI could go into a bidding war over this Auckland-born all-rounder.