IPL 2019: 3 Overseas fast bowlers that RCB could target at the auction

The Royal Challengers Bangalore finished in sixth place last year, and a large part of their failures could be attributed to their poor death bowling. Many bowlers were tried out, but none of them were able to make much of an impact.

Another concern was that apart from Umesh Yadav, none of their pacers managed to hold their own, and struggled to bowl wicket taking deliveries.

RCB have released Chris Woakes, who was supposed to be their lead pacer didn't play well. Their pace battery looks as weak as it did last year, and they would have to sign a few quality options at the auction.

Here are three overseas pacers that RCB might target at the auction.

---

#3 Mark Wood

Mark Wood was released by the Chennai Super Kings after he played only one match last season. Wood can both bowl at the start of the innings and at the death; his toe-crushing yorkers and deceptive slow bowlers are particularly effective towards the end of the innings.

He was underutilized by the Super Kings, and could have produced better results had he got more playing chances.

Mark Wood

Wood has a good strike rate and average in T20 cricket, and is a fairly experienced cricketer. After having played for Durham, he has become an even more seasoned cricketer and wouldn't be a bad pick to solve RCB's death bowling woes.

#2 Oshane Thomas

Oshane Thomas

Oshane Thomas is touted to be the next big thing in West Indies cricket. The stocky young pacer can bowl very quickly even on slow pitches, and his ability to generate bounce off the surface is simply remarkable.

Thomas was West Indies' best bowler in the T20I series against India, and had Shikhar Dhawan's number throughout the series. He troubled the Indian batsman with his express pace and movement off the pitch.

He finished as the second highest wicket taker in the Caribbean Premier League playing for the Jamaica Tallawahs, picking up 18 wickets in 10 matches with a decent economy rate of 8.36 and an excellent bowling average of 17.66. He tends to open the bowling and can be a strike bowler for RCB, something which both Tim Southee and Chris Woakes failed to do effectively.

RCB can expect a bidding war for this youngster, and must be prepared to shell out money for him.

---

#1 Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn has made a remarkable comeback to international cricket after sustaining an injury which sidelined him for months. He went unsold last year but will mostly be picked by a franchise this year.

His fiery attitude on the field as well as his experience could rub off on to the younger players, and he'll be a valuable addition to the team.

Dale Steyn

Steyn has had a good record in the IPL, taking 92 wickets with an economy rate of 6.92. He can bowl anywhere that the team wants him to, and can be the right solution to RCB's problems.

Steyn's stats against Australia in the ODI series were great too. He picked up 7 wickets in 3 ODIs at a stellar economy rate and average of 3.48 and 13.42 respectively.