"RCB won't be a bad option" - Irfan Pathan on former MI pacer ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, former India player Irfan Pathan has highlighted Akash Madhwal's ability to bowl the yorker. He reckoned the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) might target the former Mumbai Indians (MI) pacer at the auction.

Madhwal was released by the Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. RCB have a remaining purse of ₹16.40 crore heading into the mini auction in Abu Dhabi on December 16, and can buy at most eight players, including two overseas.

Speaking on Star Sports, Pathan opined that RCB could look to acquire Madhwal as a death bowler at the IPL 2026 auction.

"Akash Madhwal is a young bowler. When he played for Mumbai, he brought a lot of excitement. He used to bowl a very good yorker. The yorker is his biggest strength," the former India all-rounder said.

"If proper faith is shown in him to bowl two or three overs in the end, he can emerge as an incredible bowler. RCB won't be a bad option because he is a bowler who bowls a very good yorker, and you will need someone like that," he added.

Akash Madhwal has picked up 23 wickets at an economy rate of 10.06 in 17 IPL games. He accounted for four dismissals in as many matches in IPL 2025, while conceding an average of 11.07 runs per over.

---

"If any team knows how to use him well with the new ball, they can go after him" - Irfan Pathan on Akash Deep ahead of IPL 2026 auction

The Lucknow Super Giants released Akash Deep ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. [P/C: Getty]

On the same show, Irfan Pathan noted that a franchise looking for an excellent new-ball bowler could target Akash Deep at the IPL 2026 auction.

"If we talk about Akash Deep, his seam remains extremely straight. If any team knows how to use him well with the new ball, they can go after him. He is an excellent new-ball bowler. His ball zips through onto the bat after pitching and he gets late movement. His quality with the new ball is the most," he said.

Former India wicketkeeper-batter MSK Prasad added that the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) might look to acquire the former RCB seamer as a replacement for the released Mohammad Shami.

"SunRisers Hyderabad have released Mohammad Shami. So they might opt for Akash Deep because those surfaces, especially with the new ball, might suit Akash Deep sort of a bowler," he observed.

Akash Deep has picked up 10 wickets at an economy rate of 11.83 in 14 IPL games. He managed only three wickets, while conceding an average of 12.05 runs per over, in six matches in IPL 2025.