IPL 2024 Auction: Two Karnataka Spinners Who RCB Can Buy At The Auction

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Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will look to strengthen their bowling unit at the upcoming IPL 2024 auction after they released three of their first choice options on the retention deadline day last month.

Having released pacers Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood and spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, RCB will be keen to replace the trio or even buy them back for a cheaper price at the auction.

RCB had splashed Rs 29.25 crores - Patel (Rs 10.75 Crore), Hasaranga (Rs 10.75 Crore) and Hazleweood (Rs 7.75 Crore) at the IPL 2022 Mega Auction. So, they may still look at buying back the trio for a cheaper price than what they spent in 2022.

However, there is no guarantee of the trio coming on the cheap as they are expected to fetch huge bids again with other teams also in need of filling in the same areas.

If RCB fail in their attempt to buy back either one of them, they could already have plans in place for other options in both the pace and spin departments for the upcoming season.

While they already have Reece Topley, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Vyshak Vijay Kumar and Rajan Kumar as pace options, only Karn Sharma and Himanshu Sharma are the specialist spinners in the side.

The Bangalore-based side has also traded in Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who could be their other pace bowling option along with Karnataka all-rounder Manoj Bhandage, who has also been retained for this season.

In terms of spin is where they fall short despite the presence of Mahipal Lomror and Glenn Maxwell, who could do roll their arms over as part-time spinners. So, RCB is likely to target Hasaranga or another spinner in the auction.

The other top spinning option apart from Hasaranga could be Afghanistan's Mujeeb Rahman, but the duo are expected to attract a lot of interest at the auction, leaving RCB to look at fallback options in local players Shreyas Gopal and Jagadeesha Suchith, who could also prove to be sensible buys.

Why RCB should buy Shreyas Gopal or Jagadeesha Suchith in IPL 2024 auction?

Shreyas Gopal, who is representing Kerala in the ongoing domestic season, has reportedly already had a trial with the Bangalore-based franchise, hinting of a possible homecoming of sorts for the leg-spinning all rounder.

Shreyas already has good experience of playing in the lucrative league with stints at Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad, but has fallen out of favour in the past two editions, when he played only in 4 matches, taking just the 1 wicket.

The leg-spinner had a great outing in 2019 when he finished as the highest wicket-taker for Rajasthan Royals with 20 wickets. Overall, Shreyas has claimed 49 wickets in 49 IPL matches. He could be the first choice option should RCB fail to sign the overseas spinner due to his current form and his ability with the bat.

Although RCB already have Karn Sharma and Himanshu Sharma as their leg spinning options, Shreyas' familarity with the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru could be an advantage over the rest.

Jagadeesha Suchith could be another interesting choice for RCB if they are looking for a left-arm spinner, who is terrific in the field and also capable with the bat. RCB already have Mayank Dagar for the role, but could do with an experienced Suchitch as a backup option.

Suchith, who is still part of the Karnataka side, has not been a regular in the IPL, but has experience of playing for different franchises over the years. In his debut season, which was his best, Suchith claimed 10 wickets in 13 matches.

Overall, Suchith has claimed 19 wickets in 22 IPL matches. While his numbers may not warrant him another IPL stint, his fielding and batting ability to go along with his left-arm spin could help him land another IPL contract. RCB could also land him around the base price.