Aakash Chopra believes the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) would spend a lot of money at the IPL 2024 auction to get one of Mitchell Starc, Gerald Coetzee, or Pat Cummins.
The Bangalore-based franchise dismissed Josh Hazlewood, David Willey, and Wayne Parnell prior of the auction, leaving Reece Topley as the team’s lone international pacer. They have a residual budget of 23.25 crore and may only sign six players, three of whom must be foreigners.
Aakash Chopra stated in a video posted on his YouTube channel that the Royal Challengers Bangalore would be prepared to spend a large fee to get one of Starc, Coetzee, or Cummins. He stated:
“Which bowlers will they go towards? Because they have money, I feel they will break the bank. They need one big bowler. The three options available are Mitchell Starc, Gerald Coetzee and Pat Cummins.”
Aakash Chopra
While RCB is expected to recruit one of the three players, the former Indian opener warned that they may have to pay a high price:
“They will go all out for one of those three. Three teams will go absolutely all-out. One is Chennai (CSK), the second is KKR and the third is RCB.
“So you can find those three fast bowlers between these three teams. Any of those three could land in the Bangalore team but it will come at a huge cost.”
Aakash Chopra
Aside from the aforementioned organizations, the majority of other teams would be hunting for great foreign pacers. The Gujarat Titans, who have a massive 38.15 crore in the bank and just Joshua Little as an international seamer, may wish to sign a big-ticket foreign pacer.
Aakash Chopra reveals why RCB’s dream of Wanindu Hasaranga will remain a dream
Aakash Chopra pointed out that the Royal Challengers Bangalore will not be able to re-sign Wanindu Hasaranga if they spend a lot of money on a pacer:
“We did a mock auction on Jio, and it seemed like the fast bowlers could even go for 16-17 crores. If it goes till there, you won’t have much money left. Then the Wanindu Hasaranga dream will remain a dream as you won’t even have five to six crores to spend.”
Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator warned that paying a large money on one player may jeopardize RCB’s financial stability:
“Then suddenly your hands will be tied. Out of the 23.25 crores you have, if you give 17 crores to one player, you won’t be able to make a team because you let a lot of players go.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra believes the three-time finalists may seek to re-sign Harshal Patel at a lower cost. However, he believes they will be unable to do so, citing Harshal and Shardul Thakur as the two most costly Indian seamen.