Former RCB head coach and director of cricket Mike Hesson has revealed the reason why the franchise didn’t retain Yuzvendra Chahal or go for him in the IPL 2022 auction. Yuzvendra Chahal is the most successful bowler for RCB with 139 scalps for them from 2014-2021.
However, ahead of the mega auction in IPL 2022, the RCB fans were surprised when the franchise didn’t retain Yuzvendra Chahal. The leggie later revealed that he didn’t receive a phone call or information from the franchise that he wouldn’t be retained.
But he was told that the franchise would go for him in the IPL auction. However, when his name came up for bidding, the RCB didn’t show any interest in the player.
Hesson, who helmed the franchise's cricketing affairs from 2019 to 2023, disclosed the rationale behind Chahal's departure. He explained that not retaining Chahal allowed RCB additional financial flexibility, aiming to secure both Chahal and pacer Harshal Patel in the auction.
"We didn't retain Chahal because retaining just three players gave the team an extra four crore rupees to spend, through which we aimed to buy back both Chahal and Harshal Patel," Hesson revealed on JioCinema.
But RCB encountered a hiccup in their plans when Chahal’s name came up in the auction late. This coincided with their pursuit of Sri Lankan spin all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga to bolster their squad.
RCB prioritized Hasaranga when his name appeared earlier in the auction, inadvertently missing out on Chahal, whose name surfaced later.
"Yuzi (Chahal) is one I will be frustrated with until I have finished my career and probably beyond. He is an outstanding bowler,” Hesson added.
Chahal has gone on to achieve much success for his new franchise in Rajasthan Royals and became the first bowler in IPL history to take 200 wickets. This includes six four-wicket hauls and a five-wicket haul, which had a hat-trick.
(With inputs from ANI)
