"I will be okay with it even if I don't get Siraj" - Aakash Chopra on RCB's potential bowling acquisitions in IPL 2025 auction
Aakash Chopra has noted that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) need to concentrate on assembling a formidable bowling attack at the IPL 2025 auction. He opined that it would be fine even if they are unable to reacquire Mohammed Siraj.
RCB have retained only three players heading into the IPL 2025 auction. They held on to two batters in Virat Kohli (₹18 crore) and Rajat Patidar (₹11 crore) along with Yash Dayal (₹5 crore) as a seam-bowling option.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener observed that he doesn't mind if the Royal Challengers Bengaluru are unable to reacquire Siraj and named a few overseas seamers they can look to target.
"I have to assemble a good bowling attack. For that, I will be okay with it even if I don't get Siraj but you have to find where you can good bowlers. Can you get Kagiso Rabada because you have money? Can you get Mitchell Starc because you have money?" he said (3:10).
Chopra pointed out that bowling has generally proved to be RCB's Achilles heel.
"Can you find Mark Wood because you have money? Spend the money and buy bowlers because bowling is mostly the problem behind 'Ee Sala Cup Namde' becoming 'Ee saal bhi cup rahan de'. For that, you need at least one quality Indian spinner, it's great if it becomes two, and you need to have good fast bowling options," he observed.
Siraj picked up 15 wickets at an economy rate of 9.18 in 14 innings in IPL 2024. While Mark Wood wasn't part of this year's edition of the league, Kagiso Rabada and Mitchell Starc were released by the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), respectively.
"You released Yuzi Chahal and regretted it a lot after that" - Aakash Chopra on a spinner RCB should target
![The Rajasthan Royals released Yuzvendra Chahal ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. [P/C: iplt20.com]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/e9340-17314772039013-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra named Yuzvendra Chahal as the spinner RCB should look to acquire at the auction.
"You released Yuzi Chahal and regretted it a lot after that. When you have money and Rajasthan do not have the RTM, might as well go for him. Go all out. Try to bring Yuzi Chahal back even if you have to spend six to 10 crores. Punjab might actually beat you to it but at least give your very, very best," he said.
The renowned commentator pointed out that the leg-spinner has excelled previously in the small ground at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
"You should want that player because he does well even on the small ground, and has anyone taken more wickets for RCB than him? So I will say Yuzi Chahal will be my one important choice," Chopra observed.
With 139 wickets at an economy rate of 7.58 in 112 innings, Chahal is RCB's highest wicket-taker across all T20s. The wily spinner accounted for 18 dismissals at an economy rate of 9.41 in 15 games for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024.