Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI) have large fan bases in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the cash-rich T20 league, both teams have played quality cricket for the last 15 years but Mumbai are five-time champions while Challengers are yet to lift the coveted trophy for the first time.
In 2023, MI’s journey concluded with a 62-run crushing defeat at the hands of Gujarat Titans (GT) while RCB’s campaign ended with a heartbreaking six-wicket loss against GT at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in the round-robin stage. Ahead of the 2024 IPL auction, both sides have released some players who might get massive prices on December 19.
This year, Challengers have released 11 players from their squad and some illustrious names might tempt MI in the upcoming auction. Noting the reputation and performance of some released RCB stalwarts, Mumbai might go after them at the huge event.
Discussing more, here are three RCB players MI could aim for in the 2024 IPL auction
3. Michael Bracewell
Michael Bracewell gave his services to RCB in his maiden IPL season. As an all-rounder, he didn’t look confident with both bat and ball which led to his exclusion from Bangalore’s 2024 squad. The 32-year-old racked up only 58 runs and six wickets in five matches of the 2023 edition.
In the upcoming auction, MI might pick the Kiwi all-rounder as he can become a perfect player to support the veteran Piyush Chawla to support the team’s spin-bowling unit. Along with the ball, he possesses the potential to play match-winning knocks from his bat as well. Bracewell’s bowling record is impressive in T20 Internationals (T20I). In 16 matches, he has scalped 21 wickets at a superb economy of 5.36.
2. Wanindu Hasaranga
RCB didn’t retain Wanindu Hasaranga for the 2024 season in order to go with a heavy amount in the upcoming IPL auction. Back in the 2022 IPL, the Sri Lanka spinner displayed his bowling mettle and picked up 26 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 7.54. With these numbers, he also ended up as the second-leading wicket-taker in the edition.
In 2023, he failed to do big with the ball and failed to break into RCB’s retention list for the 2024 IPL. However, his name will be one of the favourites to receive a humongous sum in the upcoming auction. MI might also raise their bidding paddle to fetch him in the upcoming auction as they’ve only Piyush Chawla as an experienced spinner in the team.
Chawla looked fabulous for MI in the previous season, grabbing 22 wickets in 16 games at an economy of 8.11. Noting the veteran’s form, MI might look to add Hasaranga as well to strengthen their spin attack.
1. Josh Hazlewood
Along with Hasaranga, RCB released Josh Hazlewood, who spearheaded their fast-bowling unit in the last two seasons. There are high chances of the Australia speedster bagging a lucrative deal in the upcoming auction as he looked stunning with the ball for his national side recently in the 2023 World Cup.
Earlier, in the year, he played only three matches for Challengers in the 2023 IPL and took only three wickets at an economy of 8.44. MI will be thrilled with their premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s comeback in the side and in the auction, they might also splurge good money on Hazlewood, who is known for his disciplined pace bowling.
With a fast-bowling duo of Bumrah and Hazlewood, Mumbai might relive their glorious days of the 2020 IPL when Bumrah along with Trent Boult guided MI to their fifth title win. The 32-year-old Aussie has clinched 35 wickets in 27 matches at an economy of 8.06 in his IPL career.
from IPL Live Score | IPL News, IPL 2024 Updates, Squads & Results - CricTracker