IPL 2019: 3 All-rounders that RCB could target at the auction

The Royal Challengers Bangalore finished in a disappointing sixth place last season despite having a star studded squad. Their failures were largely attributed to their poor death bowling and ineffective opening batting partnerships.

Moreover, their big signings at the auction weren't able to do justice to their price tags, and their star all-rounders failed to deliver with both bat and ball. It was always Virat Kohli and AB de Viliiers who performed with the bat, while Umesh Yadav dominated with the ball. RCB's team management were always tinkering with the combination and trying to get things right, but they never did.

They have released the following players before the auction.

Released players: Quinton de Kock, Mandeep Singh, Brendon McCullum, Chris Woakes, Corey Anderson, Sarfraz Khan, Pavan Deshpande, Manan Vohra, Murugan Ashwin, Anirudhha Joshi, Aniket Choudhary.

Also, they have retained the following players.

Retained players: Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Colin de Grandhomme, Parthiv Patel, Pawan Negi, Kulwant Khejroliya, Moeen Ali, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Tim Southee, Washington Sundar, Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini.

Here are three all-rounders that RCB can target at the upcoming auction.

---

#3 Sam Curran

The young sensation from England has grabbed the attention of everyone in the cricketing fraternity with his stellar performances with both bat and ball.

Starting with the Test series against India where he staged late batting comebacks and troubled the Indian batsmen with his swing and accuracy, he has now slowly carried his form to the shorter formats of the game too.

Sam Curran

Curran possesses big hitting abilities as well as good technique, and can be a stable middle-order batsman for any team. But his bowling will be the biggest plus for RCB if they manage to get him on board, as he can be effective both at the start as well as at the death.

Sam Curran has made himself a huge target and will surely be hot property this auction.

#2 Axar Patel

Axar Patel was a vital part of the Kings XI Punjab team ever since he started playing for them, and he is easily one of the best Indian all-rounders in the league. He has been released by the Kings XI Punjab, probably because he was their only retained player last season but didn't perform too well.

Axar Patel

Axar's release will now make him a top target for all teams. Indian all-rounders are certainly in great demand, and Axar could be a great pick for a side like RCB.

Under a strong team management like RCB's, the IPL veteran can polish his skills further. Axar's experience can also help mold someone like a Wasington Sundar, and he will certainly be on RCB's radar.

#1 Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell was released by the Delhi Daredevils following a poor run of games last season. The swashbuckling all-rounder hasn't had a great time in India but is shining everywhere else.

Although Maxwell's release is well justified, his value is still quite high. He is one of the most devastating all-rounders in world cricket and can dismantle any opposition bowling attack on his day.

Glenn Maxwell

Every side that signs him hopes that he can shine like he did for the Kings XI Punjab in 2014. He has had a good season in international cricket this year, and has supported skipper Aaron Finch very well in the young and inexperienced Aussie team.

Maxwell has made his way to the top of the ICC T20 All Rounders Rankings, and will be one of RCB's top targets this season. They lacked a power hitter in the lineup after Kohli and ABD; Maxwell can be that as well as a handy option with the ball.