Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra feels that the Royal Challengers Bangalore should consider releasing Mohammed Siraj ahead of the next Indian Premier League (IPL) season. He added that they can buy him back for a cheaper amount at the auctions.
Mohammed Siraj was retained by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for IPL 2022 season for a whopping 7 crores. However, the pacer could not live up to the expectations this season. He picked just nine wickets in fifteen games, and also was very expensive with the ball. Siraj conceded runs at an economy rate of 10.0 in the season.
After a disappointing Indian Premier League 2022 season, Aakash reckons that the franchise should consider releasing the pacer. In a video shared on his Youtube Channel, Aakash said:
Mohammed Siraj was retained for seven crores. You may release him. If you release him, whom will you get, that’s a big question because you will have to get an Indian bowler. You can buy him back cheaper actually, he will not be sold for seven crores now.”
“RCB have an overseas bowler in the form of Josh Hazlewood, Harshal Patel has done very well, Akash Deep was not too bad at the start as well. You wanted to hold on to him (Siraj), I thought that was a great idea but the season has not been good,” he added.
Royal Challengers Bangalore can release INR 3.4 crores by releasing Anuj Rawat – Aakash Chopra
The former India cricketer also pointed out that the Royal Challengers Bangalore could not give enough match time to youngster Anuj Rawat. He was signed for 3.4 crores by the franchise.
With Virat Kohli and Faf Du Plessis certain to open the innings, Aakash feels that the franchise should release Anuj Rawat. Explaining his point, Aakash Chopra said:
Anuj Rawat, you spent 3.4 crores on him. He played one good inning and after that, you didn’t play him. If Anuj Rawat is not going to open, Faf and Kohli are going to open. Then you can release 3.4 crores by releasing Anuj Rawat. That’s 10-and-a-half crores already.”
The commentator concluded by expressing that Sherfane Rutherford and David Willey too should be let go, by the franchise.
“Sherfane Rutherford, you didn’t play him at all, just an odd match. So one crore rupees gets released there. You gave David Willey two crores and I don’t think he is going to fit in your team. So you can release David Willey as well. So 12-14 crores have been released, which means you now have ample money to make a difference,” stated Aakash Chopra.
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