'It Can Backfire' - AB de Villiers Discusses Prospect Of RCB Releasing Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga

Legendary South Africa National Cricket Team batsman AB de Villiers recently discussed the prospect of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) releasing Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction to free up some purse.

Harshal and Hasaranga are two of the most expensive players present in the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) squad and letting them go would allow the franchise to enter the auction pool with a big purse. Both the aforementioned players were acquired by the franchise for a handsome INR 10.75 crore in the IPL auction.

In a video shared on his official YouTube channel, AB de Villiers stated that releasing Harshal and Hasaranga might be a good move, but it could also backfire. He added that the newly-appointed coach Andy Flower would have some plans in place. He elaborated:

“RCB paid a lump sum for them (Harshal and Hasaranga) and releasing them will free up the purse. This is where the scouting will come in and the pool of players they are looking at. They might also go back into the auction and buy both of them, but it can also backfire. Mr. Flower seems to have some plans up his sleeve and this seems one of them.”

I don’t know whether Mumbai will release him because… – AB de Villiers on Dewald Brevis

AB de Villiers also spoke about young batting sensation Dewald Brevis. The batting great said that he would love to see Brevis join the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), but was quite confident of Mumbai Indians (MI) not letting go of the youngster. He said:

“I would love that (Brevis to RCB). I think the Chinnaswamy pitch will suit him. I don’t know whether Mumbai will release him because I know they have roped in a number of young players looking long term. So it wouldn’t make sense for them to release them because they will be a part of their dream team in few years’ time.”

The IPL 2024 auction will be a mini-auction and it is scheduled to be held on December 19 in Dubai. The BCCI has set November 26 as the deadline for the franchises to announce the list of retained and released players.