Batting great Sunil Gavaskar isn’t happy with Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) bowling lineup ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. He blasted the franchise for letting go of Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga, saying that their bowling has become very weak.
Royal Challengers Bangalore didn’t have the kind of auction they would’ve wanted going into the IPL 2024. They yet again strengthened their batting lineup and there was still a loophole left in the bowling department, which has been the case for many years now.
Ahead of the IPL 2024 auction, Royal Challengers Bangalore released quality bowlers in Wanindu Hasaranga, Josh Hazlewood, and Harshal Patel. It was expected that they would acquire some quality bowlers in the ranks but it wasn’t there as they failed to bid for any big names.
Royal Challengers Bangalore acquired the services of Alzarri Joesph and Lockie Ferguson. But with their pace on the small Chinnaswamy ground, it could turn out to be a horrible move for them. The duo no doubt are quality bowlers but they will be lacking a proper wicket-taker in the middle overs.
Sunil Gavaskar understands the point behind RCB releasing Josh Hazlewood. But he was happy with the team letting go of Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga. He believes that the franchise left two experienced bowlers and it won’t help them. Speaking to Star Sports, he explained:
“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
“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.”
That is going to be the issue – Sunil Gavaskar on Lockie Ferguson and Alzarri Joesph stopping runs
Sunil Gavaskar further pointed out Alzarri Joesph’s heroics for Mumbai Indians in the IPL but he isn’t sure if the fast bowler will be able to replicate that same or not. He believes that both stopping runs in Chinnaswamy will be a big issue for the team.
Sunil Gavaskar further pointed out that RCB has no death bowling as well as spin bowling options, saying that their bowling is weak for the tournament. He added:
“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
“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.”
Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga did a fantastic job for the team in the past few years. While the pacer was acquired by the Punjab Kings, the Sri Lanka spinner will be playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
