IPL 2022 Auction: After leading Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for close to a decade, Virat Kohli recently stepped down from the role. RCB entered the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 auction under pressure to look for a new captain.

Their plans derailed when they lost the bidding war for Shreyas Iyer to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Day 1 of the event on Saturday. Later in the day, RCB acquired former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis. The opening batsman, who was previously associated with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for 10 years, could be a great candidate for the leadership role.

Glenn Maxwell, who was retained by RCB ahead of the auction, is another option for RCB’s captaincy.

In a bid to sign left-handed batsmen, RCB roped in Mahipal Lomlor and Kiwi opener Finn Allen. They even showed faith in uncapped India batsman Anuj Rawat, buying him at INR 3.4 crore.

While RCB managed to fill their squad with talented bowlers in Chris Jordan, Jason Behrendorff, Sherfane Rutherford, Josh Hazlewood, and returning pacer Harshal Patel, their overall side is imbalanced. They lack some key faces in the middle-order and once again, RCB would be dependent on three batsmen, in this case: Kohli, Maxwell and du Plessis.

IPL 2022 Auction: Royal Challengers Bangalore’s New Buys, Full Squad, Possible Playing XI
IPL 2022 Auction: Royal Challengers Bangalore’s New Buys, Full Squad, Possible Playing XI

IPL 2022 Auction: Players retained by RCB

Virat Kohli (15 crore), Glenn Maxwell (11 crore), and Mohammed Siraj (7 crores).

IPL 2022 Auction: Players bought by RCB

Indian players: Mahipal Lomror (95 lakh), Suyash Prabhudesai (30 lakh), Chama Milind (25 lakh), Aneeshwar Gautam (20 lakh), Karn Sharma (50 lakh), Siddharth Kaul (75 lakh), Harshal Patel (10.75 crore), Dinesh Karthik (5.5 crore), Shahbaz Ahamed (2.4 crore), Anuj Rawat (3.4 crore) and Akash Deep (20 lakh), Luvnith Sissodia (20 lakh).

Overseas players: Finn Allen (New Zealand, 80 lakh), Sherfane Rutherford (West Indies, 1 crore), Jason Behrendorff (Australia, 75 lakh), David Willey (England, 2 crore), Faf du Plessis (7 crore), Wanindu Hasaranga (10.75 crore), Josh Hazlewood (7.75 crore).

Players Bought By RCB at IPL 2022 Auction: 19

Funds spent: INR 88.45 crore

Funds remaining at the end of the mega auction: INR 1.55 crore

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Possible Playing 11:

Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell (c), Mahipal Lomror, Anuj Rawat / Karun Nair, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood

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