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Released: Morris, Finch, Moeen, Udana, Dube, Umesh, Negi, Gurkeerat, Steyn (opted out), and Parthiv (retired).
Traded in: Sams, Harshal.
Purse: 35.2 INR.
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Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Pre-auction analysis.
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Traded in: Sams, Harshal.
Purse: 35.2 INR.
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Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Pre-auction analysis.
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Presently, this is how the team shapes up:
1. Devdutt
2. Virat
3. Joshua (WK)
4.
5. AB
6.
7.
8. Sundar
9. Saini
10.
11. Chahal
1. Devdutt
2. Virat
3. Joshua (WK)
4.
5. AB
6.
7.
8. Sundar
9. Saini
10.
11. Chahal
As I've always said, cricket is a situation game, not a position game. AB at 5, Sundar at 8 are only on paper. The match-ups and game scenario would determine their actual batting positions.
Sundar, in particular, will float anywhere between 4 to 8. https://twitter.com/_cricketsparsh/status/1351938144212459520?s=20
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Sundar, in particular, will float anywhere between 4 to 8. https://twitter.com/_cricketsparsh/status/1351938144212459520?s=20
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Bearing in mind how RCB's batsmen struggled to accelerate in the middle-overs, predominantly vs spin, needless to say, they'll target a middle-order batsman. Given his boundary-hitting abilities, Vinod is a viable choice.
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Amongst overseas players, Billings, Phillips and Maxwell are the hot choices whilst Rutherford is one less-hyped option.
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At 6/7, Harshal & Sams are 2 options from within the squad. The former, perhaps a replacement for Dube, is a fine utility player and can potentially slot in at 7 given his all-round skills. The latter, albeit an improved batsman, doesn't inspire confidence with the ball.
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Assuming that Harshal slots in at 7, RCB would fancy a finisher who can take some burden off AB's shoulders. Allen, a ferocious finisher, is one name that immediately hits my mind.
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Allen, besides his batting abilities, is outrageous on the field and brings alongwith him the option of a slow left-arm orthodox.
Sundar (off-break), Chahal (leg-break) and Allen (slow left-arm orthodox). 3 contrasting spinners, all offering different variety to the captain.
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Sundar (off-break), Chahal (leg-break) and Allen (slow left-arm orthodox). 3 contrasting spinners, all offering different variety to the captain.
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Apart from Allen, Shahrukh, with his power-hitting skill, is one name that hits my mind. And I already mentioned Maxwell earlier.
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For RCB to play an overseas seamer, two players out of #4, #6 and #7 must be Indians. Otherwise, they'd have to field an all Indian pace attack (Saini, Siraj & Harshal), which, for obvious reasons, is undesirable.
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Updated line-up:
1. Devdutt
2. Virat
3. Joshua (WK)
4. Vinod
5. AB
6. Allen/Maxwell
7. Harshal
8. Sundar
9. Saini
10.
11. Chahal
Vinod and 1 of Allen/Maxwell would be my picks.
The line-up might look unconvincing but trust me, there's enough to work with over there.
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1. Devdutt
2. Virat
3. Joshua (WK)
4. Vinod
5. AB
6. Allen/Maxwell
7. Harshal
8. Sundar
9. Saini
10.
11. Chahal
Vinod and 1 of Allen/Maxwell would be my picks.
The line-up might look unconvincing but trust me, there's enough to work with over there.
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The final spot, quite patently, is for the overseas seamer. Jhye is an option. They might even want to reacquire the services of Morris. Amongst others, Wood, Meredith and Ellis are fine choices.
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Thus, my final XI:
1. Devdutt
2. Virat
3. Joshua (WK)
4. Vinod
5. AB
6. Allen/Maxwell
7. Harshal
8. Sundar
9. Saini
10. Jhye/Morris/Wood/Meredith/Ellis
11. Chahal
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1. Devdutt
2. Virat
3. Joshua (WK)
4. Vinod
5. AB
6. Allen/Maxwell
7. Harshal
8. Sundar
9. Saini
10. Jhye/Morris/Wood/Meredith/Ellis
11. Chahal
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If Harshal & Sundar (especially Sundar, since he's the only left-hander after Padikkal) are utilized appropriately, the batting is sorted.
The already brilliant spin department would only get better in the presence of Allen or Maxwell.
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The already brilliant spin department would only get better in the presence of Allen or Maxwell.
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Powerplay bowling is sorted.
Death-bowling is one concern. Though, if Saini - who certainly has the skillset - uses his brain, sticks to his strength and bowls well, honestly, in tandem with the overseas seamer, one can expect decent returns at the death as well.
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Death-bowling is one concern. Though, if Saini - who certainly has the skillset - uses his brain, sticks to his strength and bowls well, honestly, in tandem with the overseas seamer, one can expect decent returns at the death as well.
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Being a mini-auction, this, in my opinion, is the best that RCB can do.
End of thread.
End of thread.
