IPL 2020: RCB had conducted a mock auction before securing Dale Steyn's services

The 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction was a glitzy affair where a whopping amount of Rs 140.30 crore was shelled out by the franchises in order to gain the rights for the exclusive services of the best players in the world. As is always the case, all eyes were on the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) leading into the auction as to whether they’ll be able to plug holes that have plagued them in the past three seasons.

Since the shellacking that they received last season, the RCB completely overhauled their management structure with former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson taking over as Director of operations and Simon Katich taking up the coaching role. And, post the auctions, the RCB social media team has been posting the pre-auction mock videos and its latest instalment shows the mock-auction drill of Dale Steyn and also Sanjeev Churiwala explaining the reasons why Hesson and Katich were chosen for the role.

“As a chairman, I quickly realized last year that we need a person between me and the cricketing side to really manage the cricketing operations,” said Churiwala.

RCB releases Dale Steyn’s mock auction video

Coming back to the mock auction drill, one can see KKR placing a bid of Rs 2.2 Crore on Dale Steyn before Mike Hesson shoots it up to Rs 3.6 Crore, and eventually rack up the South African fast bowler. In the second drill, RCB racks up Steyn at Rs 2.4 Crore.

“I have really enjoyed being with the RCB, obviously the first year. Enjoyed the fact that the whole management is working for the same goal, which is pretty clear. We’ve got a great cricketing structure- from our scouting performance. We have got a scouting team that is getting better and better.

“They are identifying talents, if not for this year but certainly for next. Obviously, with Simon Katich joining from a Head Coach point-of-view, I really enjoy working with him and Virat, as well around. But, as support staff and management, RCB are very clear with their goals and consistent as well, which is great.” Mike Hesson, Director of RCB, said.

In the actual auction, Steyn went unsold initially before he was finally racked up by RCB at his base price of Rs 2 Crore. Another drill that can be seen in the video is the furious bidding that ensued for Shahbaz Ahmed. Ahmed, whose base price was Rs 20 Lakh, garnered furious bidding that went on from 20 Lakh to a whopping Rs 3 Crore. Ahmed, however, was racked up at his base price in the actual auction.

The final video of the mock auction series further establishes the strategy behind key decisions. And of course, your favourite, Dale Steyn.#BidForBold #PlayBold #IPL2020 @CoachHesson pic.twitter.com/BNsTmS2cFM

— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) December 28, 2019