Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan reckons Royal Challengers Bangalore could look to rope in the services of Mujeeb ur Rahman at the upcoming Indian Premier League 2024 mini-auction. The Afghan mystery spinner has scalped 19 wickets in 19 IPL matches and last played in IPL 2021 for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Meanwhile, RCB decided to release mystery spinner Wanindu Hasaranga ahead of IPL 2024 auction. Furthermore, the Bangalore-based franchise also decided to release Harshal Patel and Josh Hazlewood and traded in Cameron Green for ₹17.50 crore from the Mumbai Indians.
Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports, “If you look at their squad, with Cameron Green coming in, they have their biggest headache sorted. The middle muddle is sorted. They will have to sort out their bowling. If they can get Hasaranga back at a cheaper price, well and good.”
The former India all-rounder added: “If not, they can go for guys like Mujeeb. Mujeeb is a guy who can actually take the pitch away from the equation. He is basically a mystery bowler who can bowl with the new ball and he can be pretty handy in those sorts of tough conditions for bowlers.”
Pathan reckons RCB could sign in Mitchell Starc, who has entered the IPL auction after missing the last few seasons. Starc last played for RCB in IPL 2015 and Pathan feels the franchise will be interested in roping him.
“I really think you might see Mitchell Starc playing for RCB because he was there before. They would want him there as well because being a left-armer, bowling 140-plus, having that extra pace in those types of pitches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium will be of utmost importance for RCB.”
Pathan feels RCB decided to release Harshal Patel as Vyshak Vijaykumar has been retained by the franchise. Vijaykumar had impressed in his maiden season and he has a good slower ball as well as the yorker.
“They have a very underrated bowler right now, which people might not be talking about, that’s Vyshak Vijaykumar, who came as a replacement. I thought there were quite a few things to like about him. His slower one was very impressive and that is why I think RCB have taken the decision to leave out Harshal Patel.”
RCB has a remaining purse of ₹23.25 crore and they could buy a maximum of six players, which includes three foreign spots. The IPL 2024 mini-auction will be held in Dubai on December 19.
