2 Former RCB Net Bowlers Who Became Superstars In Other IPL Teams: Apart from the contracted players, the IPL franchises also employ and use a number of net players, most of them are bowlers. Months before the auction, a franchise first invite players from across India to have trails with them. After being impressed with them, they either go after them in the auction, or keep them earmarked and call them up as net players if they go unsold in the auction.
As a net bowler, the unsold player gets the opportunity to leave a mark on the franchise’s management and staff and other players. And if an opportunity opens up in the squad – be it through injury to some player or in the next auction – the franchise ropes in that player and had known him for a while and his skillset and talent.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) too use the same method of identifying some young, uncapped Indian talents. However, in recent times, they have failed to buy these net bowlers who, as it turns out, have went on to perform well for other teams.
Here are 2 players who were net bowlers for RCB but now have had success with other teams:
Akash Madhwal
Akash Madhwal rocked the IPL 2023 with historic figures of 5/5 in the Eliminator for Mumbai Indians against Lucknow Super Giants. Madhwal’s stunning performance helped MI defeat LSG by 81 runs and get one step closer to the final.
Madhwal’s had shown his prowess in the league phase with bowled dismissal of Shubman Gill, and followed it up with a couple of searing yorkers to rattle SRH batters Klassen and Brook in the death overs.
Madhwal was with Royal Challengers Bangalore as a net bowler during IPL 2021 when he bowled in the nets to the likes of Kohli and AB de Villiers. Royal Challengers Bangalore didn’t bid for Madhwal in the IPL 2022 auction and he went unsold.
MI were impressed by Madhwal and then picked him up as a replacement player in IPL 2022 for his base price of INR 20 lakh. Rest, as they say, is history.
Chetan Sakariya
Chetan Sakariya is among the young, emerging Indian pacers in the IPL who has impressed people with his swing bowler and usage of slower balls. Chetan Sakariya made his IPL debut in 2021 for Rajasthan Royals and then was bought by Delhi Capitals in IPL 2022 auction. He has 20 wickets in 19 IPL matches.
Sakariya was with Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2020 in the UAE as a net bowler. However, RCB didn’t buy him in the auction.
