IPL 2019: 3 Bowlers that Rajasthan Royals should target at the auction

While Rajasthan Royals started on an average note in IPL 2018, they gained momentum in the second half of the competition to get themselves a place in the Eliminators where they were later 'eliminated' by the Kolkata Knight Riders by 25 runs.

The factors behind their resurgence were mainly two - Jos Buttler's terrific performance as an opening batsman and the efficiency of their bowling unit. As the Royals have let go of two of its top-5 wicket-takers, Jaydev Unadkat (11 wickets) and Ben Laughlin (9 wickets), among the 7 bowlers in total that they have released before the upcoming auctions, their squad now lacks specialized fast bowling options.

With a remaining purse of ₹20.95 crores, they could bid in for a couple of world-class fast bowlers to bolster their bowling. So, here are some bowlers that the Rajasthan Royals must consider for at the auctions.

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#3 Junior Dala

South Africa v India - T20 International

Rajasthan Royals as a squad is known for giving opportunities to talented but lesser recognized and fringe players in the past and take them to newer heights of success, this includes the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Yusuf Pathan, Dhawal Kulkarni among several others.

Junior Dala, a South African right-arm fast bowler, is exactly such a bowler who has great potential and skills, and needs the right opportunities and mentoring to take his game to the next level. His skills were on display in the T20I series against India where he troubled Virat Kohli & Co. to emerge the joint-highest wicket-taker with 7 wickets from 3 matches at an average of 15.71.

His ability to bowl consistently above 140 kph can rattle the batsmen and induce them into playing mistimed shots at the smaller Sawai Mansingh stadium, the home of the Rajasthan Royals.

He was a part of the Delhi Daredevils squad in 2018 but wasn't provided adequate opportunities to display his skill, as he played in only one match. His performance in the ongoing Mzansi League would be key to his fortunes at next year's auctions.

#2 Jaydev Unadkat

Jaydev Unadkat

With an Indian bowling option, the Royals can maintain the domestic-overseas ratio which would allow them to play Ben Stokes, Steve Smith, Jos Buttler, and Jofra Archer in the playing XI.

Jaydev Unadkat was the second highest wicket-taker in the 2017 season with 24 wickets in 12 innings at an astounding average of 13.41. But his IPL 2018 stint with the Rajasthan Royals, under his former Pune Supergiants team-mate Ajinkya Rahane did not go as expected. Unadkat could manage just 11 wickets as the pressure of being the 'costliest Indian player at the auctions' got to him.

Despite that, he is a key player for any team to have as he is the premier left-hand fast bowler in the country in T20s, and at the right price would become an integral part of any IPL side.

On top of that his existing familiarity with the team, the management, and the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur is an added advantage that points to the fact that his return to the Royals squad wouldn't be surprising in the least.

#1 Dale Steyn

South Africa training session

It came as an absolute shocker to many fans of cricket as 'Steyn gun' was unsold at the 2018 auctions, but the concerns of the IPL team to pay for a player who has major injury concerns seemed valid but heartbreaking.

A legend of the IPL, Dale Steyn had been a consistent part of the competition since the 2008 inaugural edition. His IPL career stats of 92 wickets in 90 matches at an economy of 6.72 is enviable.

His return from injury to the fearsome bowler he was can be judged from the fact that he was the best bowler for South Africa in the recently concluded Australia-South Africa ODI series with 7 wickets in 3 innings at a measly economy of 3.48, and as far as T20s are concerned he has 9 wickets in 7 innings at an economy of 7.20 in 2018.

His progress in the ongoing Mzansi League needs to be tracked, and if all goes well we can see Rajasthan Royals bid for the legend at next year's auctions. He would be a great addition to the Royals squad and his presence would inspire the likes of Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes to level up their game.