IPL 2023: Mike Hesson Opens Up On RCB’s Decision To Sign Wanindu Hasaranga Instead Of Going All Out For Yuzvendra Chahal

IPL 2023: Royal Challengers Bangalore finished fourth in the IPL 2022 points table under the captaincy of Faf du Plessis. Rightly so, they made it to the playoffs.

In fact, they locked horns with Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator. RCB knocked the third-placed team out of the competition with a clinical win.

However, they failed to get over the line when they took on Rajasthan Royals in the second qualifier. RCB must have taken some positives from the last season.

They will surely be looking forward to doing well in the next season. RCB will lock horns with Mumbai Indians on April 2 (Sunday) at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, Mike Hesson opened up about the RCB’s decision to go all out for Wanindu Hasaranga rather than giving everything to sign the experienced Yuzvendra Chahal.

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) Director of Cricket, Mike Hesson added that RCB didn’t go all the way in the bidding to and fro, and they might have ended up losing both players in IPL 2022 mega-auction.

We could have ended up losing both Hasaranga and Chahal: Mike Hesson

Mike Hesson spoke about this in detail in the latest edition of the RCB Podcast. RCB Director of Cricket, Mike Hesson, added that they had some tough conversations with Yuzvendra Chahal at that time.

“By doing that, we definitely we not able to get Yuzi, but we could have ended up losing both of them. I am aware it was unpopular with many, and Yuzi himself,” Mike Hesson said.

Mike Hesson further added, “We had some tough conversations with him at that time and even since. He understands the auction dynamics, but there is emotion involved and that’s where in the role I am in, I cannot let emotion drive the decision.”

RCB ended dup splashing 10.75 crore to sign Wanindu Hasaranga. The Sri Lankan international proved his worth by taking as many as 26 wickets to his name.

On the other hand, RCB didn’t retain Chahal and the latter joined Rajasthan Royals for INR 6.50 crore. Notably, he went on to win the Purple Cap by taking 27 wickets.

“We thought that along with Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga, that combination at No.7 and No.8 for us in batting as well as bowling, wicket-taking options is going to be critical for us moving forward, but what’s the price we are willing to pay? To be honest, we were on our last bid for Hasaranga,” Mike Hesson echoed.