The IPL 2025 auction came and went, and one notable absentee was English opener Ben Duckett. His explosive batting style and recent form would make him a valuable asset for any team, but his high base price of INR 2 crores may have deterred some franchises. However, with the IPL season around the corner, there are several teams that could benefit from adding Duckett to their squad as an injury replacement.
1. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
RCB are currently dealing with the injury of Jacob Bethell, who is a doubt for the upcoming IPL season. If Bethell is ruled out, RCB could look to replace him with another Englishman in Ben Duckett. Duckett could form a formidable opening partnership with Phil Salt, who is already on RCB’s roster. This would allow Virat Kohli to move down the order to number 3, giving RCB a more balanced batting lineup.
2. Rajasthan Royals (RR)
RR released Jos Buttler ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, leaving them without a designated overseas opener. While they have Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is a promising young talent, adding Duckett would provide them with a more experienced and explosive option at the top of the order. Duckett’s aggressive approach would complement Jaiswal’s style, and the duo could form a destructive opening partnership.
3. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
LSG are likely to miss Mitch Marsh due to injury, leaving them without a designated opener. While they have several talented players who can bat at the top of the order, none of them are natural openers. Duckett would be a perfect fit for LSG, as he is a proven match-winner in T20 cricket. His ability to score quickly at the start of the innings would be a valuable asset for LSG, especially at the Ekana Stadium, which is known for its sluggishness.
These are just three teams that could benefit from adding Ben Duckett to their squad as an injury replacement. However, it is important to note that Duckett’s high base price could be a deterrent for some teams. If a team is willing to pay the price, they could be rewarded with a player who could make a significant impact on their IPL campaign.
