New Delhi, Dec 18 (PTI) Getting more bowling options to support spinner Mohammad Siraj will be Royal Challengers Bangalore’s top priority in the upcoming IPL auctions, director of cricket Mo Popat said on Monday.
RCB has retained 18 players, including star batsman Virat Kohli, skipper Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell and Siraj, and released 11 players.
Those released are the medium-pace trio of Harshal Patel, Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanendu Hasaranga and Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, draining the team’s bowling resources.
“Mohammed Siraj is a key part of what we do, so supporting Siraj with some additional bowling options including overseas bowling options will be a real priority for us going forward,” Popat was quoted as saying in a media release.
“Then we have a core group of home-grown players, which I think is very strong. Some of them have had some opportunities over the last year or two and may play more leadership roles going forward,” he added.
Top heavy side, RCB have traded Cameron Green to Australia for $17.5 crore from Mumbai Indians to strengthen their middle order.
“We have a strong core of player retention, and we have a very strong pecking order. Part of the decision-making process we made around player release decisions was to try to strengthen the middle order, and bringing in Cameron Green was a great move.”
RCB has a portfolio of $40.75 crore with a total of seven slots available to sign players.
Popat also stressed the importance of fostering the right performance environment and culture for players to showcase their abilities.
“I’m committed to a long-term project here. We have a great captain in Faf, and an excellent group of senior players with the experience of Virat, Maxi (Maxwell) and DK (Dinesh Karthik). So the ingredients are in place for a really strong team.”
“The next goal is to make sure we provide the right performance and culture where players can go and show their abilities and go out and entertain the audience.
“If we stick to our processes, play an aggressive brand of cricket, and have those moments where we are ready to be brave, it will motivate the fans.”