After the deadline for IPL retentions and releases passed yesterday, Royal Challengers Bangalore made crucial calls in terms of freeing up their purse, letting go of a handful of big names to try and open up space for new signings in the upcoming auction which is to be held on December 19th. RCB’s head coach, Andy Flower made some interesting calls and underlined the reasons for the tough calls that he had to make.

He dissected the departures from the squad, providing valuable insight into what egged the team on in making the calls. Speaking on the latest video of RCB Bold Diaries, Flower spoke about all the names released and why the process was difficult and yet was necessary.

Talking about the releases, he said, “These decisions are important. You are affecting people’s careers. I take that responsibility very seriously. We’ve given good debate time and thought to those decisions.”

Flower shed light on the individual releases, starting with Harshal Patel. He said, “Harshal has been an excellent performer for RCB in the past. He is, though, a high value player. He was bought for a price of INR 10.75 crore. In our efforts to release some cash and give flexibility to our team, in order to give us some buying power in the auction, he is someone whom we had to let go in the auction.”

He further added, “Hasaranga was also someone with a high value, marquee term player. So releasing that money into the auction gives us somewhat of that flexibility.”

Talking about Josh Hazlewood, Flower said, “I have just got off a call with Josh and he very pleasingly has a baby on the way who is due at the end of March. So Josh won’t be with us, certainly not for the first part of the IPL.”

Flower also provided an update on David Willey, adding, “He has just come off a very successful 50-over World Cup. I know it well. I have worked with him before in the franchise game. He has been an outstanding cricketer for whatever team he plays for. We will keep an eye on him and how his auction goes. He was really an important part of the RCB team last season. He also played a good hand.”

As the talks heat up about the upcoming IPL auctions which is to be convened on December 19th, the fans will be excited to see who all are going to be a part of the Class of 24’ for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.