IPL 2024 Auction: Faf du Plessis says RCB bought players aiming to improve record at Chinnaswamy

Royal Challengers Banglore skipper Faf du Plessis revealed that his team was looking for a squad that could improve its performances at home in IPL 2024.

Three-time runners-up RCB’ headline buy in the IPL 2024 Auction that took place in Dubai on Tuesday was getting West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph, who had been released by the Gujarat Titans on Retention Day, for Rs 11.5 crore. Ahead of the auction, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green was traded to their squad from Mumbai Indians, who made space for Hardik Pandya, for a sum of Rs 17.5 crore.

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Reacting to his team’s bids in the auction, the South African felt RCB’s six acquisitions would help them achieve optimal team balance heading into the 17th season of the world’s biggest T20 league.

“After the last season, we felt like we needed to improve at home. One of the things that we did really well was to succeed away from Chinnaswamy,” du Plessis said in a statement.

“So, we put our heads together and what that looks like to be better at home and how can we get better, in what ways can we improve?

“It’s definitely the auction (way to improve) and the process of the last two months has been solely around planning to be better at home and the type of bowlers and batsmen that will be successful at home,” he added.

Boasting of strong top-order comprising the likes of du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and Rajat Patidar, RCB acquired the services of Australia all-rounder Green through a trade-in from Mumbai Indians ahead of the auction.

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Besides, RCB also strengthened its bowling department, adding West Indian pacer Joseph (Rs 11.5 crore), New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson (Rs 2 crore) and England’s Tom Curran (Rs 1.5 crore).

The Royal Challengers also added Indian left-arm pacer Yash Dayal (Rs 5 crore) and spin all-rounder Swapnil Singh (Rs 20 lacs), along with wicketkeeper Saurav Chauhan (Rs 20 lakh) from Gujarat to complete a 25-member squad.

Chauhan made the headlines in the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy when he smashed an 18-ball 61.

“We spent a lot of time talking about RCB and where we wanted to take the franchise. I think it’s always really important that you do your homework and make sure you look at every area and talk it through,” du Plessis said.

RCB head coach Andy Flower too was happy with the acquisitions.

“It’s really a strong top four with Virat (Kohli) and Faf (du Plessis), (Rajat) Patidar and (Glenn) Maxwell,” he said.

“Cameron Green who gives us that power somewhere in that top five.”

With PTI inputs