Why did RCB release Yuzvendra Chahal? Mike Hesson reveals shocking Incident

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Former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Director of Operations Mike Hesson has recently revealed why the franchise released Yuzvendra Chahal.

The Indian leg-spinner played for seven years at the IPL franchise but was released by the three-time IPL finalists in 2021. It came as a shock to the fans and the player was also hugely surprised by the decision of the RCB team management.

During a recent chat, Hesson revealed the reason why RCB let go of the coveted player and also revealed how Chahal reacted after being released.

"I spoke to Yuzi (Yuzvendra Chahal) obviously when we did the initial retention and we only retained three players because we felt we wanted to try and buy back both Harshal Patel and Yuzi at the auction. Probably the thing that I'm really frustrated about even now is as you said Yuzi is probably one of the top five players of all time for RCB but he was also one of the best ever in the IPL and the fact that he couldn't make the top two marquee lists at that time was ridiculous, The fact that he came in number 65 on the auction list means that it was really difficult for us to guarantee we were going to get him," Hesson said during a chat with Cricket.com.

Hesson explained that five other IPL teams were interested in Chahal and they knew the leg-spinner was out of their reach. RCB went on to rope in Sri Lanka all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga but Hesson reveals he had a chat with the Indian spinner following the auction.

"We got Hasaranga which we were delighted with but we knew that obviously, that would have flow-on effects so it was something that we tried really hard and then I remember ringing Yuzi afterwards, he was upset and trying to explain to him the auction dynamics at that time was you know he was not interested and I don't blame him.

He was an RCBian and he was frustrated but I can assure you and him he is well aware of the issues we were confronted with and obviously, I was part of that decision-making process but I certainly wasn't the only one involved in those discussions," Hesson concluded.

Chahal was signed by Rajasthan Royals at an amount of Rs. 6.50 crore. The 33-year-old has picked up 48 wickets in 31 matches so far for the Royals in the last two seasons.