IPL Auction 2017: 5 replacements for Mitchell Starc

Ever since he signed for RCB in 2014, Mitchell Starc was one of their finest performers, even if he couldn't always play on a consistent basis. After missing IPL 2016 through injury, which ruled him out of the first half of the calendar year, Starc has decided to part ways with RCB ahead of IPL Auction 2017.

Not only did he decide to quit the franchise, but he has also decided to forego the tenth edition of the tournament, in favor of rest ahead of the Champions Trophy in June. Given his injury record, he cannot be blamed for his decision, but it does leave RCB at a huge disadvantage, a day ahead of the auction.

Extra Cover: IPL Auction 2017: Complete list of players in the auction, PDF download

But here are five players who can replace Mitchell Starc and deliver the goods for RCB, who are looking to claim their maiden IPL title.

Chris Woakes

One of the problems RCB had ahead of the auction is the fact that they didn't have too much money in the bank to go out for a player that might make the difference between a final and a title this year. But with Starc's decision to leave, RCB have an extra INR 5 crore to spend at the auction.

While they would have preferred to have Starc instead of the money in the purse, they can now certainly go all out in search of the perfect replacement for the Australian pacer. And with a base price of INR 2 crore, Chris Woakes isn't cheap but now RCB have the cash to secure the England star's signature.

Capable of swinging the new ball and nailing his yorkers with the old, Woakes has all the tricks that you need to survive as a T20 bowler. On top of that, his immense control and variety whether it is in slower balls or yorkers make him difficult to get away. The fact that he can whack the ball and has a fifty in Tests and ODI is proof that he is no mug with the bat, which is an added bonus for RCB.

Trent Boult

From a time when left-arm fast bowlers were a rare commodity and had to be nurtured with care, the current international scene features plenty of them, some of whom have the potential to become one of the best of their generation. When it comes to left-arm fast bowlers, after Starc the current second-best is Trent Boult.

As he showed during the first T20I against South Africa where he displayed exceptional control and ability to take wickets, the Kiwi pacer is a force to be reckoned with. While he might have been deemed surplus to requirements at Sunrisers Hyderabad, who themselves have a few quality left-arm pacers, he would be a great addition to Royal Challengers Bangalore.

When you can swing the ball both ways at pace and can showcase control both at the start and the end of an innings, then that is something. Which is why, even with a base price of INR 1.5 crore, RCB should look to secure his signature.

Kagiso Rabada

There are few better young talents in international cricket than Kagiso Rabada at the moment. The South African fast bowler has taken international cricket by storm and having listed himself for the first time in IPL, he will be looking to do the same in the tenth edition of the tournament.

Capable of bowling fast, swinging the new ball while also being accurate with his yorkers and slower balls, Rabada is every captain's dream bowler, especially in T20s. The 21-year-old could be just what the doctor ordered for RCB, especially considering their lack of options especially at the death overs.

Even with a base price of INR 1 crore, Kagiso Rabada is worth every penny and with the extra cash coming in from Starc's decision to forego the IPL, RCB certainly have the purse to go for him. Should they get him, he could well be the player who gets them their maiden IPL title.

Yasir Arafat

With a base price of just INR 50 lakh, Yasir Arafat is a steal and could be a buy that RCB can sneak under the radar. While everyone is out looking for international or uncapped stars, the domestic veteran, who is a consistent performer across various T20 leagues could be the ideal replacement for Starc.

If there was one thing that RCB struggled with last season, it was having a bowler who could nail his yorkers at will. Chris Jordan was brought in to do that but while he took wickets, he was expensive as well. But Arafat has shown throughout his T20 career that there are few better bowlers who execute the yorkers as well.

He might be 34 but considering that most of the players will players will go into the auction once again next year and with a base price of INR 50 lakh, he would constitute a great buy. Not even a risky one, considering he has 281 T20 wickets to his name, he is only behind Dwayne Bravo and Lasith Malinga on the all-time T20 wicket-taking charts.

Tymal Mills

A left arm fast bowler who can not only nail his yorkers but also bowl fast is a rarity, which is why Royal Challengers Bangalore will definitely miss the services of Mitchell Starc, even if he didn't play any part in their pathway to the final last season. If they want to minimize the impact of losing Starc, then they should go for Tymal Mills as a like-for-like replacement.

Capable of bowling fast and being accurate as well, Mills showed just how impressive he can be in the shortest format of the game in the T20I series against India. While a congenital back condition might have forced him to give up on the longer formats, the 24-year-old is still a lethal asset in T20s.

Extra Cover: Tymal Mills could be the perfect fit for Royal Challengers Bangalore

While bowling in excess of 90 mph is a still in itself, Mills' biggest asset is his slower balls and his ability to beat the batsman for pace. With a mean yorker and good variety in his arsenal, he is the ideal death bowler and the fact that he bowls left-arm as well does his case no harm at all.