Sunil Gavaskar believes the bowling has gone weaker for RCB after they are done with their releases and acquisitions of IPL 2024.
Rephrase The team, based in Bengaluru, let go of several key bowlers. Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Harshal Patel left. They picked up Alzarri Joseph, Lockie Ferguson, Yash Dayal, and Tom Curran during the IPL 2024 auction. This is to boost their fast-bowling troop.
While discussing on the Star Sports, Gavaskar was asked what influence have Royal Challengers Bangalore had in their bowling due to changes of personnel. He responded:
“I think the bowling has become weaker, no question about it. We knew that Josh Hazlewood was not going to be available for the full season. So him not being selected is understandable.”
Sunil Gavaskar
The former India captain questioned why RCB released Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga.
“However, to let go of Harshal Patel, to let go of Hasaranga, both of whom can bowl at the start as well as in the middle and the final overs, to let go of such experience means they have probably not helped their team.”
Sunil Gavaskar
Harshal took 14 wickets at a 9.65 economy rate in 13 IPL games in 2023. Hasaranga was responsible for nine dismissals in eight matches and conceded an average of 8.89 runs per game last season.
Sunil Gavaskar doubts Alzarri Joseph’s effectiveness on Chinnaswamy pitches for RCB in IPL 2024
Sunil Gavaskar questioned Alzarri Joseph’s chances of success on the batting-friendly Chinnaswamy pitch. He stated:
“Yes, you might have got a Lockie Ferguson in the team and you have got an Alzarri Joseph, who has probably got the best figures in the IPL when he played for the Mumbai Indians, he has six wickets for 12 runs or something like that, but can he replicate it on the Chinnaswamy pitches? That is going to be the issue.”
Sunil Gavaskar
The cricketer-turned-commentator finished by stating that RCB has compromised their bowling.
“So the bowling certainly has become a little weak because the spin options are also not quite there, with Hasaranga not there, and the death-over options, which you had with a Harshal Patel, are also not quite there.”
Sunil Gavaskar
Punjab Kings (PBKS) obtained Harshal Patel for a stunning ₹11.75 crore. RCB didn’t try to get him back. There was also no attempt to bid for Wanindu Hasaranga. This Sri Lankan leg-spinner was snapped up by SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) for a basic ₹1.50 crore price tag.