Batting great Sunil Gavaskar is not happy with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) bowling line-up ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. He criticized the franchise for letting go of Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga, saying their bowling has become very weak.
Royal Challengers Bangalore did not have the kind of auction they would have wanted ahead of IPL 2024. They once again strengthened their batting line-up and there was still a loophole in the bowling department, as has been the case for many years. .
Ahead of the IPL 2024 auction, Royal Challengers Bangalore released quality bowlers like Wanindu Hasaranga, Josh Hazlewood and Harshal Patel. They were expected to acquire some quality bowlers in the ranks but that was not to be as they were unable to bid for big names.
Royal Challengers Bangalore acquired the services of Alzarri Joesph and Lockie Ferguson. But with their pace on Chinnaswamy’s small ground, it could prove to be a horrible move for them. The duo are undoubtedly quality bowlers, but they will lack a proper wicket-taker in the middle.
Sunil Gavaskar understands why RCB released Josh Hazlewood. But he was happy with the team letting go of Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga. He believes the franchise left two experienced bowlers behind and that won’t help them. Speaking to Star Sports, he explained:
“I think bowling has weakened, there’s no doubt about it. We knew Josh Hazlewood wouldn’t be available for the entire season. So it’s understandable that he wasn’t selected.
“However, letting go of Harshal Patel, letting go of Hasaranga, who can bowl both up front and in the middle and in the end, letting go of that experience means they probably haven’t helped their team. “
That will be the problem: Sunil Gavaskar on Lockie Ferguson and Alzarri Joesph stopping runs
Sunil Gavaskar further highlighted Alzarri Joesph’s heroics for Mumbai Indians in the IPL but is not sure whether the fast bowler will be able to replicate the same or not. He believes both stops at Chinnaswamy will be a big problem for the team.
Sunil Gavaskar further pointed out that RCB has no death bowling or spin bowling options and said their bowling is weak for the tournament. He added:
“Yes, you might have a Lockie Ferguson in the team and an Alzarri Joseph, who probably had the best figures in the IPL when he played for Mumbai Indians, has six wickets for 12 runs or something like that. , but can he replicate it on the Chinnaswamy courts? that’s going to be the topic
“So the bowling has certainly become a bit weak because the spin options are also not there, with Hasaranga not there, and the death options, which you had with a Harshal Patel, are not there either.”
Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga did a fantastic job for the team in the last few years. While the Punjab Kings have acquired the pacer, the Sri Lankan spinner will play for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.