Veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has highlighted that the Rajasthan Royals (RR) tried their best in IPL 2023 auction to acquire one player with their entire money. However, they went into the mini-auction in Kochi on Friday, December 23, with a remaining purse of ₹13.2 crores and they bought nine players, with Jason Holder at ₹5.75 crores being their most expensive buy as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “The way they (RR) bid, it seemed they will take everyone. They didn’t have money. They had 13.2 crores in their kitty and had bid that entire amount on Harry Brook. Then they went after Nicholas Pooran also. They went after Harry Brook, almost saying that they want him in any case. Harry Brook was the first name and they said you can end their auction there itself, you can give him to them and they are very happy to go home. But whichever thing Hyderabad laid their hands on in this auction, it was going to be theirs.”

ALSO READ: Fans react as the first Test between INDvNZ ended in a draw

However, the Rajasthan Royals were fortunate that SRH, who had a remaining purse of ₹42.25 crores, went on acquiring Brook also. They would have been left with just ₹20 lakh then if the Hyderabad-based franchise had not placed a final bid of ₹13.25 crore for him as well.

READ HERE: Wasim Jaffer names batting-order for 2nd Test vs New Zealand

“They wanted Nicholas Pooran as well. They didn’t get him also. Now they will have to manage with Jason Holder. I don’t think Jason Holder is a bad player because big ground – Sawai Mansingh Stadium – they will do alright. The squad is looking good. The Rajasthan Royals were decent last year and are decent this year as well. They have made good additions and they look an even stronger side compared to what they were last year. Their balance becomes better because of Holder coming in,” Aakash Chopra concluded.