Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin reckons Royal Challengers Bengaluru could target Shai Hope in IPL 2027 auction. Ashwin highlighted that the defending champions have top-order batters like Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell but they can take Hope as a backup option.
Hope has been in terrific form as he scored another blistering knock of 102 runs off just 50 balls in the fourth T20I against India at Hyderabad on Wednesday to help his team post a par score of 247 runs on the board.
The flamboyant batter scored four fours and nine sixes in his whirlwind knock. This is Hope’s seventh century against India while playing in Indian conditions, which is the most for any batter.
Hope scored 278 runs in three ODIs against India, whereas he has amassed 261 runs in four T20Is against the hosts at an average of 130.50 and a strike rate of 190.51.
Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) could be an option for him (Shai Hope) because they have both Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell. Bethell batted reasonably well, but do they need to have another option there? Maybe, maybe not. So, honestly, should Shai Hope play in the IPL? Is he deserving? Absolutely. In my mind, he would be a number-one player. Will he be picked in this auction? He definitely should be, and I am hoping he will be.”
Ashwin pointed that almost all the 10 teams have their top order settled and thus it would be difficult for Hope to break into any team.
He concluded, “He is not finding a place in the first XI of any squad, so that is a cause for concern. He will always get a place at number three or four, but is he suited to that role? He is probably not suited to that role, but he is an option. Will a team break the bank for him? I hope so, but it is unlikely. Most teams have their opening slots fixed with overseas players, so I think it will depend more on the combinations they are looking for.”
IPL 2027 auction is scheduled to take place in Goa in mid-December.
