RCB’s focus will be to bolster their batting, might look at Annabel Sutherland: Anjum Chopra

Former India skipper Anjum Chopra expects Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to bolster their batting unit in the upcoming WPL auction. In the tournament's last edition, the franchise invested heavily in their batting and signed the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry and Heather Knight among many other star cricketers. Chopra believes the strategy might be the same for the upcoming edition, as they often prefer a batting-heavy line-up.

The 46-year-old mentioned that the franchise can even look out for someone like Annabel Sutherland. The 22-year-old was in good form for Melbourne Stars in the recently concluded Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) but despite that, Gujarat Titans didn’t retain her for WPL 2024. Chopra mentioned that Sutherland’s all-rounder abilities might make her a good prospect for RCB.

“Their focus will be - 'Let's pack our batting, if we can do that, so at least we have one aspect of the game covered. If there is a 70 or 80 per cent chance to have a good bowling side, fine let's go ahead with it. But let's keep one side heavy where we are very confident we can take the opposition head-on'.

“Probably they might look at an Annabel Sutherland coming in because for sure they will be getting Heather Knight and Ellyse Perry to play. So another all-rounder as an option. Annabel Sutherland will always be a good addition to this lineup,” Chopra said while talking to Sports18.

I think RCB are looking for an Indian batter: WV Raman

Despite having a star-studded team, RCB finished fourth in the last edition of the WPL. Thus, there’s a lot of room for improvement and the process will begin from the upcoming auction, which is slated to take place on December 9. Speaking on the same, former India head coach WV Raman stated that the franchise might look for an Indian batter and believes that Veda Krishnamurthy is someone that the team might target.

“I think what they are looking for is an Indian batter. It could be Veda Krishnamurthy to add the local flavour,” Raman said.

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