Auction dynamics hit State players’ chances

A criticism often hurled at the Royal Challengers Bangalore, and not without reason, is the lack of faith in home-grown players. Karnataka players, who are much sought after by other franchises in the auctions, are generally ignored by RCB.

In the current squad, young Devdutt Padikkal is the only Karnataka face. RCB's bowling coach Ashish Nehra said they would have loved to have more State-bred players in their ranks and blamed the dynamics of the auction for their poor presence in the Bengaluru franchise.

"I have been sitting in the (auction) for two years and it can go absolutely haywire. I am someone who is always ready for worst-case scenario. If I decide six players in my mind, even if I get one I am happy. If not, I think what is my next option? It is not that Karnataka players are not playing anywhere else," said Nehra.

"(KL) Rahul went for high price, (Robin) Uthappa took KKR via RTM (Right To Match) last year. It is very difficult thing to explain. We have only one (Karnataka) player in the form of Devdutt Padiakkal, rest of others like (Karun) Nair went to Punjab, it was a big auction last year. We tried for Mayank Agarwal last time, and see Manish (Pandey) went for what kind of a price. SRH did not retain three players, just retained two.

"Look at somebody like K Gowtham, who went for 6.2 crores, 6 cr was bid was by RCB. It is not that we do not want Karnataka players or we do not value them, and also it is not that they have not played for RCB in the past."