Last Updated on 3 years by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: 5 players RCB should target in the IPL 2022 Auction | A look at 5 players who RCB could pick up in the IPL 2022 Auction

15th time lucky for Royal Challengers Bangalore? The much-decorated franchise, boasting some of the leading T20 players over the years and a passionate fanbase, is yet to win the IPL title.

While they have made three finals, RCB overall have underachieved. Despite improvement over the past two seasons, RCB need a fresh start and the IPL 2022 Mega Auction provides a good opportunity to do that. They have retained three players and will be after a new captain after Virat Kohli stepped down from the role last year.

RCB retained players for IPL 2022:

• Virat Kohli
• Glenn Maxwell
• Mohammed Siraj

Remaining purse: 57cr

Building a solid core is crucial for RCB, as well as better balance in their squad. With 57cr available, RCB need to be smart in picking up value buys.

Over the years, they have often been stronger in the batting department, with their bowling severely compromised. With the tournament likely to be held in the state of Maharashtra (Mumbai and Pune), here are five players (and some backups) RCB should target as priority on what should be good batting surfaces.

5 players RCB should target for IPL 2022:

1. Ishan Kishan

Imagine a top four comprising of Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell. Sure, RCB have had strong top orders right throughout their history, but a strong domestic option at the top will allow them to focus on overseas players in the finishing department with both bat and ball.

Kishan is dynamite in the opening position in the IPL. He has struck 555 runs in 13 innings as opener at an average of 55.50 and superb strike rate of 155.90. Also, he can don the wicket-keeping gloves.

RCB can certainly target David Warner, too. Perhaps even for the captaincy role. However, Kishan is a long-term option and can offer value for RCB for years to come.

2. Liam Livingstone

RCB’s achilles heel over the years has been their finishing. Often they have relied on their top four to do the bulk of the scoring, with a lack of options to follow to either finish well or arrest a collapse.

Liam Livingstone is a strong option. The Englishman has a base price of 1cr, is a middle-order specialist and offers a handy leg-spin bowling option.

RCB can also look to target Jason Holder, who had a superb series against England. However, there is a good chance that he will go for a big fee as a number of other teams are looking for an all-rounder.

There is talk of Shreyas Iyer as a target for RCB, but he and Virat Kohli play similarly. Having two anchors in the top five would be a bit of a risky ploy.

3. Harshal Patel

Harshal Patel was outstanding in IPL 2021, taking the most wickets by an Indian bowler in a single season. While we might not see the slow, sluggish pitches of Chennai and Sharjah in 2022, Patel is an excellent option for RCB again given his excellent ability to change the pace.

Also, his partnership with Mohammed Siraj could be a great strength once again. To have a reliable domestic death bowling option will be key for RCB in their quest for glory.

However, expect other teams to go after Harshal. So, it will be interesting to see if RCB get Harshal back. If RCB wish to land another domestic death-bowling option, T Natarajan could be a high-value pickup provided he is fit enough.

4. Kagiso Rabada

RCB should prioritise a gun seam bowler; one who is proven in the death overs. Kagiso Rabada has been one of the star bowlers in recent years, playing a key role in Delhi’s rise.

He strikes every 15 deliveries in the IPL, providing impact in both the powerplay and death overs. Rabada alongside Siraj and potentially Harshal – who are both capable of bowling at the backend of the innings – gives RCB a solid pace bowling core.

If RCB are unable to land Rabada, Trent Boult, Tymal Mills or Lockie Ferguson are also good options. Mills has improved significantly since his last stint with RCB, and he conceded less than seven runs per over in all short-form matches in 2021.

5. Yuzvendra Chahal

Every team needs a high-quality spinner and Yuzvendra Chahal has been magnificent for RCB over the years. He was particularly outstanding in the second leg of IPL 2021 in the UAE, and he still has plenty to offer.

The Mega Auction provides a huge opportunity for RCB to start afresh. Building a solid, balanced team will be key, and it starts with putting together a strong core.