‘Fans will select a much balanced team’ – Dodda Ganesh criticizes RCB’s IPL auction strategies

RCB 2023. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

In a surprising turn of events at the IPL 2024 Auction in Dubai, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) faced the heat from former India and Karnataka fast bowler Dodda Ganesh. Expressing his discontent, Ganesh claimed that even the fans could have done a better job at the auction table than the team management.

Heading into the mini-auction with a purse of Rs 23.25 crore and six available slots, RCB aimed to bolster their squad after releasing key players like Wanindu Hasaranga and Josh Hazlewood. However, the franchise’s sluggish start left fans disappointed, especially as other teams like Kolkata Knight Riders, SunRisers Hyderabad, and Chennai Super Kings made swift moves.

“Give theRCB fans half the money from the purse and a freehand at the auction table; I bet you, our fans will select a much balanced team for all conditions and might as well save some money. Cannot believe that a pro crkt team can do such elementary mistakes,” Ganesh wrote on his ‘X’ handle.

 KKR signed Mitchell Starc for a record-breaking INR 24.75 crore

The spotlight moment came during the mini-auction for the IPL 2024 edition, when RCB aggressively pursued Australia’s Pat Cummins, but they eventually withdrew at Rs 20.25 crore. Surprisingly, SunRisers Hyderabad secured Cummins for Rs 20.50 crore, setting a new auction record until Kolkata Knight Riders surpassed it with a whopping Rs 24.75 crore for Mitchell Starc.

Despite some setbacks, RCB managed to secure the services of West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph for Rs 11.50 crore and Yash Dayal for Rs 5 crore. However, these choices were met with scepticism, with experts like Anil Kumble and Mike Hesson expressing disappointment. One notable omission was RCB’s decision not to re-acquire Wanindu Hasaranga, who was a key player for them in the previous season. Fascinatingly enough, Sunrisers Hyderabad swooped in and grabbed the leg-spinner for a steal at Rs 1.5 crore.