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In a recent revelation, former Australian cricket star Shane Watson took a jab at Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) decision-making during the IPL 2022 mega auctions. The scrutiny centered around the release of Yuzvendra Chahal, one of India’s premier wrist spinners, under the helm of former RCB director Mike Hesson.
As IPL plunged into its inaugural round of mega auctions in 2022, RCB faced a pivotal decision regarding Chahal’s future with the team. Despite his stature as one of the country’s top wrist spinners, RCB opted to part ways with him, a decision that baffled fans and analysts alike. Adding salt to the wound, Chahal went on to clinch the coveted Purple Cap while playing for Rajasthan Royals in the same season, cementing his prowess in the IPL arena and earning a recall to the national team for the T20 World Cup.
Shane Watson’s criticism of RCB’s management came to light during a recent segment on Jio Cinema. Watson didn’t mince his words, suggesting that someone within the RCB setup lacked cricketing acumen, as evidenced by the decision to release Chahal in 2022. His candid remark sparked a moment of discomfort when he realized that Mike Hesson, the former RCB director involved in the decision, was present.
“There’s definitely someone at RCB who doesn’t know much about cricket. That’s why he let Yuzi Chahal go,” Watson remarked, before promptly clarifying that his comment wasn’t directed at Hesson, whom he referred to as a “great man.”
Chahal’s departure from RCB left a bitter taste, as he revealed in a subsequent podcast that the auction strategy wasn’t effectively communicated by the franchise. He expressed his disappointment, indicating a desire for a long-term association with the team.
RCB’s decision regarding Chahal continues to be scrutinized, shedding light on the complexities and challenges of IPL auctions and team management dynamics.
