As the cricketing world anticipates the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction scheduled for December 19, 2023, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) organization has made a series of strategic moves, releasing 11 players from their roster, including the Australian star pacer Josh Hazlewood. In a surprising turn of events, given Hazlewood’s recent performance in Australia’s World Cup victory, his release from the team has raised eyebrows across the cricket fraternity.
RCB, which has yet to secure an IPL championship, has decided to part ways with six international players, further indicating the franchise’s commitment to reshaping its squad composition. Concurrently, the franchise has acquired the talents of Cameron Green through a trade with the Mumbai Indians. In their bid to strengthen the team, RCB has also welcomed Mayank Dagar, trading him from SunRisers Hyderabad, while all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed has been transferred in the opposite direction as part of the deal.
Mayank Dagar, representing Himachal Pradesh domestically, comes with previous experience from a former stint with Kings XI Punjab (renamed as Punjab Kings). Dagar’s participation in the 2023 season was limited to only three games, in which he managed to claim a single wicket. His performance in the upcoming season will be keenly watched as he blends into the RCB lineup.
The franchise has also made clear its commitment to a core group of players who have been retained. The list includes the team’s skipper Faf Du Plessis, batting powerhouse Virat Kohli, dynamic player Glenn Maxwell, and all-rounder Will Jacks, who is expected to return to the field after missing the entire last season due to an injury. Other significant names that remain with the team are Rajat Patidar and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj.
Last season saw RCB concluding in the sixth spot with an equal number of victories and losses, a record that led to them missing out on the playoff berth. In their quest for a better outcome, RCB’s formidable contingent of retained players can be seen as a blend of skill and experience, designed to provide the team with the best chance of transcending their previous achievements. Retained players also include Anuj Rawat, Dinesh Karthik, Suyash Prabhudessai, Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Manoj Bhandage, Akash Deep, new entrant Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Rajan Kumar, and Vyshak Vijaykumar.
On the flip side, the list of players released by the franchise covers not just Hazlewood, but also Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, David Willey, Wayne Parnell, and several others who contributed to the team in the past seasons. These changes reflect RCB’s strategy and outlook as they prepare for the tough competition that the IPL is known for.
The RCB administration and fans alike will keep a close eye on how these trades and retentions unfold on the field in the forthcoming season. It remains to be seen if these adjustments will propel the team towards its long-awaited maiden IPL Trophy.
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