IPL 2024: 'To Save Extra Rs 4 Crore For Auction' - Hesson Reveals Why RCB Did Not Retain Yuzvendra Chahal

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) had a disastrous auction ahead of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, failing to land a specialist spinner. But the Bengaluru-based franchise made a shocking call a few seasons ago ahead of the last mega auction.

Before the IPL 2022 mega auction, RCB had retained Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and Mohammed Siraj, while they gambled on saving an extra Rs 4 crore for the auction and buying a few players back at the auction. That decision has definitely backfired.

Former RCB Director of Cricket Mike Hesson, who was part of the think-tank that decided on releasing the best spinner in the IPL, Yuzvendra Chahal, has now explained one of the tough calls the franchise had to make in 2021.

The former RCB spinner, who is currently part of the Rajasthan Royals, became the leading wicket-taker in the lucrative earlier this season and also became the first player to claim 200 wickets in IPL on Monday (April 22).

Many experts and fans were puzzled with RCB's decision to not retain Chahal and also not attempt to buy him at the 2022 mega auction, where they opted for another spinner.

Speaking on JioCinema, the former director of cricket of the Bengaluru-based side, Hesson has revealed the reason behind RCB's failure to retain or buying the leg spinner at the auction.

Hesson said that RCB did not retain Chahal as retaining just three players gave the team an extra Rs 4 crore to spend, through which they aimed to buy back both Chahal and pacer Harshal Patel.

"Yuzi (Chahal) is one I will be frustrated with until I have finished my career and probably beyond. He is an outstanding bowler. I guess when it comes to every cycle, you have got to decide who you are going to retain," Hesson told former India batter Robin Uthappa on Jio Cinema.

"It was one of those things where if you only retain three players, you give yourself an extra 4 crore in the auction. That potentially gave us the chance to get both Harshal (Patel) and Yuzi."

However, during the auction, Chahal's name popped up very late, leading RCB to buy Sri Lankan spin all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga for Rs 10.75 Crore to boost their attack. Hesson said RCB wanted to avoid getting bullied and opted for Hasaranga.

"Then the order of the auction came up and Yuzvendra Chahal was at no. 65. Because we had retained that many players we were going to get bullied. After Yuzi there was no other spinner we were interested in," Hesson added.

"We were obviously interested in Hasaranga as another option if we did not get Yuzi. So we bid for him upfront and then once we hot Hasaranga that meant we could not go for Yuzi."

Chahal eventually was bought for Rs 6.50 Crore by RR, leading to further questions on RCB's strategy at the auction as they splashed even bigger amount on the Indian leg-spinner's replacement.

Hasaranga proved to be a decent addition to the team, but the new think-tank featuring Andy Flower and Mo Bobat decided on releasing the Sri Lanka spinner ahead of the 2024 auction without any big name spinners on the roster.

The lack of a quality spinner is there to see this season as RCB clutch on to the foot of the table with the just 2 points from 8 matches following 7 defeats in the campaign.