IPL 2017: 5 players RCB should be looking to buy in the auctions

Royal Challengers Bangalore is the South African equivalent of the IPL and each year the world keenly awaits to see how the Bengaluru-based franchise performs. They have a dream batting line-up comprising of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle and Shane Watson. But the trophy has eluded them in the tournament;s nine years of existence.

Performing when it matters is something unknown to both RCB and South Africa. They have broken quite a few records in the IPL but when it comes to striking gold, it hasn't come their way. Kohli knows it is time to end the drought and some street smart purchases in the upcoming auctions will give a huge boost to their chances.

While RCB boast of a terrific batting line-up and a brilliant seamer in Mitchell Starc, they have few Indian bowlers to boast of. That has let them down in terms of team composition because only 4 foreigners are allowed in a game in the IPL.

Here is a look at some players from the auction list that RCB should be looking at keenly.

#5 Ishant Sharma

An obvious choice for RCB, despite his Rs. 2 crore base price, Ishant Sharma returned to form in the Tests against Bangladesh. While not a critics' favourite in the shortest format of the game, Ishant is a true leader of the pack and could be the right guy for RCB who have little in terms of Indian fast bowlers.

Ishant has played in 70 IPL matches and taken 59 wickets with a best of 5/12 in 2011. While his economy and average in T20 cricket is nothing to write home about in the past two to three years, he could be used better by Kohli, who leads him in Tests.

RCB currently have only Harshal Patel, Sreenath Aravind and the uncapped Avesh Khan as Indian seamers. Having released Abu Nechim and Varun Aaron, Ishant could and should be a key target for Kohli and his men.

#4 Mohammad Nabi

The Afghanistan all-rounder could fit in perfectly in RCB

RCB have released Parveez Rasool and currently do not possess a quality all-rounder that can bowl spin. They have largely depended on Yuzvendra Chahal for their options in the spin department in the past few years and could use an extra spinner, at least in their squad.

Mohammad Nabi, the Afghanistan all-rounder could be the right buy at a bargain price for RCB. A vastly experienced player, Nabi is a beast with the bat in hand and is tight with his off-spin.

Nabi has 704 runs from 52 T20I matches and has 56 wickets at an average of 23.30. His economy of 6.96 is exceptional by T20 standards and could be a huge factor for RCB who are in dire need of an economical bowler. But playing him in the eleven could be a challenge as RCB seem to have a pretty strong group of four foreigners.

#3 Pawan Negi

Pawan Negi failed to live up to his lofty price tag in Delhi

The former Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Daredevils all-rounder is another spinning all-rounder available in the auctions. While he attracted a humongous price tag of Rs. 8.5 crores last time around, his mediocre performances for Delhi meant that he was released after just a year.

However, whilst at Chennai and performed admirably with bat and ball. If Kohli can take a leaf out of Dhoni's book, Negi might be the guy RCB need to fulfil the spinning all-round slot.

Being an Indian, RCB need not meddle with their set foreigners in the eleven and could accommodate Negi at the expense of Binny or a seamer. The Southpaw can easily complement Chahal and could be an X-factor with the willow in hand.

#2 Jason Roy

Roy is in fine touch and could be an able back-up opener to have

The flamboyant England opener gave a good account of himself in the recent series against India. A brilliant striker of the cricket ball, Roy has established himself in the England limited-overs teams with his aggressive batting at the top.

RCB may not be able to fit in Roy if De Villiers and Watson are available and firing. But with the South African board expected to call De Villiers back midway through the season in preparation for the Champions Trophy, a slot could be left vacant. And Roy would be a shoe-in if and when the situation occu

And even if De Villiers plays the whole IPL, Gayle's fitness, as well as form, is something to look out for. And with Roy in the side, the pressure will on the Jamaican to perform. Another dynamic opening batsman is always handy to have in the side and Roy would surely relish the fast paced Chinnaswamy pitch.

#1 Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes is a match-winner that will boost any side

The England all-rounder had a superb time in India in all formats despite his team having a disastrous tour. His aggressive bowling and batting, in fact, helped England out of a hole several times in the series.

The Durham man’s fierce competition with Indian skipper Virat Kohli was among the highlights of the whole tour. And Kohli even openly admitted that Stokes could be a perfect fit in the RCB setup. While they already boast of a fast bowling all-rounder in Shane Watson, age is not on his side and his performances have gone down in T20 cricket in recent years.

Stokes could slot in at the expense of Watson and play a similar if not a more stellar role. His aggressive attitude and passion for the game are in line with Kohli's which could make RCB all the more intimidating.