Top 5 flop signings by Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL auction history

The 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) is scheduled to take place in March, but ahead of the on-field battle, all 10 franchises will engage in a bidding war around the table on December 19. The much-awaited mini-auction will be held in Dubai - for the first time outside India. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will be one of the franchises aiming to build a strong squad in their bid to win their maiden title. 

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Despite participating in the cash-rich league since its inception in 2008, the Bangalore-based franchise could never get its hands on the coveted crown. Over the years, we have seen them bring world-class batters into their line-up, but have failed to do the same with the bowlers, which has always been a concern for them. Their auction strategies also sometimes went wrong as some of the players who were acquired with high prices and expectations failed to deliver enough. 

In this article, we take a look at RCB's top 5 flop signings in IPL auction history.

5. Aaron Finch

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RCB bought the former Australian captain for a massive amount of Rs. 4.40 crore during the IPL 2020 auction. Aaron Finch failed to replicate his international heroics in the cash-rich league and was a disappointing signing for the franchise. The opening batter scored just 268 runs in 12 innings at an average of 22.33 and a strike rate of below 115. He was released after IPL 2020. 

4. Shane Watson

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In the IPL 2016 auction, RCB came with the intention of signing Australian star all-rounder Shane Watson and they did so by shelling out Rs 9.5 crore. Watson played two seasons for RCB, but he did not have a memorable spell under Virat Kohli. In fact, the veteran was one of the most hated players in 2016 when RCB lost the final. He managed to score just 11 runs and gave away 61 runs in four overs. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder Ben Cutting smashed 24 runs off Watson's final over which made the difference on the night. 

3. Tymal Mills

Ahead of the 2017 season, RCB surprised by spending a hefty sum of Rs 12 crore to acquire the services of pace bowler Mills. In five matches, the pacer picked up only five wickets at an average of 30.60 and an economy rate of 8.57. The franchise lost faith in the left-arm seamer and decided to drop him before the next season. Mills then became an out-of-favour bowler and it took five years for him to return to the league when Mumbai Indians (MI) bought him in 2022.

2. Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh was acquired by RCB in the IPL 2014 auction for a staggering INR 14 crore. The veteran all-rounder came in with a lot of hype but failed to make the impact RCB needed. He managed to score 376 runs and pick up 5 wickets in 14 games. His lack of consistency prompted the franchise to release the legendary cricketer after just one season.

1. Kylie Jamieson

RCB acquired the services of New Zealand bowling all-rounder Kylie Jamieson for a whopping INR 15 crore in the IPL 2021 auction. One of the most expensive purchases of that season, however, failed to deliver the returns. Despite a good start, Jamieson managed to feature in only 9 matches, taking just 9 wickets at an economy rate of close to 10. The Kiwi fast bowler was dropped by the franchise ahead of the 2022 season, but he himself opted out of the league.