PBKS vs RCB: Virat Kohli's Bangalore torn apart by Wasim Akram for this reason
Updated - 14 May 2024, 03:12 PM
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Former Pakistan left-arm pacer Wasim Akram bashed the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team management for releasing Yuzvendra Chahal in the 2022 IPL auction.
Yuzvendra Chahal was Bengaluru's highest wicket-taker before he was put on the releasing list of players ahead of the mega auction for IPL 2022. The leg-spinner was then swooped up by the 2008 champions Rajasthan Royals after a lengthy bidding war against the Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
What did Wasim Akram say about Yuzvendra Chahal?
While speaking to Sportskeeda recently in their IPL 2024 post-match show, Wasim Akram was extremely critical about RCB's brain fade decision. Akram questioned the then-team management's mindset behind releasing Yuzvendra Chahal, who is not only the franchise's highest wicket-taker but also IPL's most successful bowler with 201 wickets and counting.
Yuzvendra Chahal was smartly picked by the Rajasthan Royals for a sum of INR 6.5 Crores and the returns came in that very season. Chahal had finished as the best bowler of the 2022 season with 27 wickets to his name. His contribution was immense in Rajasthan's run-up to the finale for the first time since 2008 when they had defeated Chennai Super Kings to become inaugural champions.
Even though Rajasthan lost to first-timers Gujarat Titans in the final, Yuzvendra Chahal's contribution meant that he was not moving anywhere from the franchise. The Kumar Sangakkara-led RR management is expected to retain him for the 2025 mega auction and is unlikely to repeat the mistake that Bengaluru made in 2022.
On that note, Wasim Akram stated that Chahal should have never been kicked out of RCB. Akram criticized the clarification that the South Indian franchise gave for the leg-spinner's release and claimed that they could have planned it better.
In the end, Wasim Akram called it a very bad decision
"How did RCB let Yuzvendra Chahal go? I read the clarification given by their coach about them not having enough money to go after Chahal at the auction. But they should have planned it better."
"You cannot let your wicket-taking bowler go and think that you'll pick him again in the auction. A very bad decision by the RCB think tank." - Wasim Akram said via Sportskeeda.
While RCB is struggling heavily without Chahal, the leg-spinner has settled in very well with the Rajasthan Royals. After losing the finale in 2022 and finishing 5th in IPL 2023, Yuzvendra Chahal is well on course to help the Royals reach the playoffs for the second time in 3 seasons. Whereas the Royal Challengers Bengaluru are down below at the 7th spot with just 4 wins to their name.
Chahal's performance in IPL 2024
Yuzvendra Chahal might be far away from the season he experienced in 2022, but the veteran is still having a decent season. Chahal had kicked off the 2024 edition very well and he was also on top of the Purple cap race at one point. At the moment, Chahal has 14 wickets from 11 games at a questionable economy rate of 9.90 with a best of 3/11.
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