IPL 2019: 3 Bowlers that RCB could target at the auction

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have been the perennial underperformers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with always one of the most star-studded lineups that look great on paper but fails to maintain a sense of consistency in their campaign.

While the batting had a sense of semblance at the fag end of IPL 2018, with Virat Kohli and Parthiv Patel opening the batting and AB De Villiers at number 3, their bowling, or a lack thereof, was a cause of major concern after failing to defend 170+ totals on 3 occasions in the last season.

This is the prime reason why RCB has retained 7 specialist bowlers (or bowling all-rounders) and 5 all-rounders, including the traded in Marcus Stoinis. Although the likes of Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, and even Nathan Coulter-Nile are no doubt world-class bowlers in all formats of the game, they lack the skill-set to operate economically in the death overs of an innings.

RCB are in dire need of a death-over specialist to choke the oppositions' batting and save them some crucial runs to turn the match in their favour.

Here are some options* for them at 2019 Auctions.

*Note: Mitchell Starc hasn't been included in the list despite being one of international cricket's top bowler as he has been missing from T20s, international as well as domestic competitions, since after the 2016 season.

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#3 Ben Laughlin

Ben Laughlin played for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2018.

Ben Laughlin came into the IPL 2018 auction with a reputation of being a death-overs specialist with his successful exploits in the Big Bash League (BBL) and the New Zealand Super Smash League.

The Victoria-born, right-arm fast medium bowler ended up playing 7 matches for the Rajasthan Royals and finished with 9 wickets at an economy of 10.12 and a best of 2 for 15 against the RCB.

At the age of 36, he doesn't have much cricket left in him, but he has shown in T20 leagues around the world, that he can be lethal in choking in the oppositions' batsmen if given the right opportunities and a consistent run.

He was the joint second highest wicket-taker in BBL 2017-18 with 16 wickets from 12 innings at an economy rate of 8.36. If he shows the same form in the 2018-19 BBL starting from the December 18, then he surely would be a hot property at next year's IPL auctions.

#2 James Faulkner

Australia v Sri Lanka - 1st T20

A slow-bowling death-over specialist who doubles up as a hard-hitting batsman at the bottom, James Faulkner is no stranger to the Indian Premier League having featured in 7 consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2017.

His 59 wickets in 60 matches at an economy of 8.69 and 527 runs while batting at a strike rate of 135.47 make him an IPL legend.

He wasn't picked up at the auction for IPL 2018 as he had not done well in the T20 competitions around the world. However, after this year's performance of 24 wickets in 22 innings at an economy of 7.85 in T20 competitions, he would be one of the most sought-after players at the upcoming auction.

All teams are looking for utility players the likes of Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and the Pandya brothers, and what better than James who is extremely familiar with the Indian conditions, and has been in quite a good form this year.

The only major test of form remains the BBL 2018-19, if he manages to come out of that with flying colours then he would surely reserve himself a spot in IPL 2019.

#1 Mustafizur Rahman

Mustafizur Rahman

Mustafizur 'the Fizz' Rahman was a revelation in IPL 2016 and his partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar was one of the main reasons for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to get their hands on their maiden IPL trophy. His 17 wickets came in 16 matches at an economy of 6.90 and a best of 3 for 16.

Since then, his injury-prone nature has led to him playing just a single match in the 2017 season for SRH and 7 matches in the 2018 season for the Mumbai Indians where he managed to take 7 wickets but was a mere shadow of his former self.

If RCB decides to buy him at the auction, he would be a valuable addition to the squad not only with his variety in the death-overs but also the fact that he would provide Virat Kohli with the option of an experienced left-hand fast bowler, as they lack one in their retained squad.