IPL 2021 Auction: 3 Players That Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Will Target

The three-time IPL runners-up Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will be busy in the IPL 2021 auction as they have fulfil many spots in their squad.

After three consecutive disappointing seasons, RCB finally qualified for the playoffs in the IPL 2020 but they finished as the fourth best team in that tournament.

Recently, Royal Challengers Bangalore released Chris Morris, Shivam Dube, Aaron Finch, Umesh Yadav, Dale Steyn, Moeen Ali, Parthiv Patel, Pawan Negi, Isuru Udana and Gurkeerat Mann. However, they have also added the all-rounder Daniel Sams and Harshal Patel through the trading window. Before the IPL 2021 auction, RCB currently have 11 slots available, including 3 overseas slots.

In the IPL 2021 auction, RCB have to fill up many positions. They have to give major importance to choose at least an opening batsman, few pacers, at least one Indian wicket-keeper etc.

IPL 2021 Auction: 3 players that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will target

Jason Roy

English cricketer Jason Roy is famous for his big hitting ability in the limited-overs format. The opening batsman has four T20 centuries, and he recently impressed in the BBL 2020/21.

The right-handed opening batsman has played 8 IPL matches, where he has scored 179 runs, including one half-century, which was 91 not out. But due to his inactivity in the delayed IPL 2020, Delhi Capitals recently released this English opener.

RCB needs an experienced opening batsman and Jason Roy can perfectly fit in this team’s nature. If Roy makes himself available for the IPL 2021, RCB can target him to buy in the IPL 2021 auction.

Sheldon Jackson

While former South African captain AB de Villiers mostly kept wicket for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2020, and they also have young Aussie wicket-keeper Josh Philippe, they still need an Indian wicket-keeper who can be used in crucial needy period. Sheldon Jackson can be a good option for RCB in this requirement.

Sheldon Jackson is now a consistent performer in the domestic cricket. Recently in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2020/21, he scored 242 runs in five games (average 80.66; strike-rate 155.12), including one unbeaten century and one half-century.

Though he played only four IPL matches, all in IPL 2017 for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), he also spent RCB bench from 2013 to 2014. He is now a mature cricketer who can play responsibly. 

Ankit Rajpoot

While RCB needs some good pacers, the 27-year-old Ankit Rajpoot can be a very good option for them. Though the Uttar Pradesh pacer recently got two wickets in three matches during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2020/21, most recently he has been named as one of the Indian net bowlers during their home Test series against England. So, there is no doubt that some franchises can show positive interest on him.

Till the date, Rajpoot has played 29 IPL matches where he got 24 wickets. He has already served for four different IPL teams – Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and Rajasthan Royals (RR).

While Rajasthan Royals recently released Ankit Rajpoot, where he got only two wickets in six games during the IPL 2020, RCB can buy this pacer in the IPL 2021 auction.