Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have been one of the most unlucky sides when it comes to releasing players from their side. RCB management failed to anticipate which player could be effective in the next season. And, later that player performed well in other franchises. Ahead of the IPL 2024 Auction, RCB released Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Harshal Patel which came as a surprise to RCB fans. Let us have a look at five RCB releases in IPL history who became key players in other teams.
KL Rahul
KL Rahul was bought by RCB in the year 2016. He scored 397 runs with four fifties in 14 matches. KL missed IPL 2017 due to his shoulder injury. In 2018 IPL season, He was omitted from the RCB side as he was not a part of the retention list.
Rahul was then picked by Punjab Kings (PBKS). He scored 659 runs with six fifties in 14 matches at a strike rate of 158.41. He also won ‘Orange Cap’ in 2020, scoring 670 runs with a ton and five half-centuries in 14 games with a strike rate of 129.34.
Chris Gayle
RCB format teammate and star batter Chris Gayle won many matches for the team. He had played number of exceptional innings at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. He scored 3,163 runs with an average of 43.33 including 19 fifties and 5 centuries.
Gayle joined PBKS in 2018 alongside KL Rahul. He played his natural game and punished bowlers with his power hitting ability. In 11 matches, he scored 368 runs, including a century and three half-centuries, demonstrating his vast experience. However, his best season for the team came the following year, when he hit 490 runs in 13 games with a 153.60 strike rate.
Shane Watson
RCB paid INR 9.5 crore for Shane Watson in the IPL Auction 2016. Former Australian all-rounder had a decent IPL 2016, scoring 179 runs in 16 matches with a strike rate of 133.58. He also took 20 wickets with the ball at an economy rate of 8.98.
He endured his worst IPL season in 2017, struggling to get runs and wickets. Following his poor performance in the tenth edition of the league, RCB did not extend the contract of Watson for the following season.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) signed him for INR 4 crore at the 2018 auction. Watson amassed 555 runs in 15 games, including two century and half-centuries, at a staggering strike rate of 154.59.
Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal joined RCB in the mega IPL auction 2014. Playing in his maiden IPL season, Chahal impressed everyone with his spin, taking 12 wickets in 14 matches.
RCB shockingly released Chahal in IPL 2022, while Rajasthan Royals signed him for INR 6.5 crore. He gave his best performance in 2022, winning the Purple Cap with 27 wickets in 17 games at an economy of 7.75.
Quinton de Kock
RCB was traded to Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of IPL 2019. He scored his highest run till then with MI. IN 2019, he smashed 529 runs with an average of 35.26 in 16 matches.
In 2020, he hit 503 runs with an average of 35.92 in 16 matches.
