Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) head coach Sanjay Bangar told that Jason Behrendoff switched to the Mumbai Indians (MI) in his chase of consistent possibilities in the playing XI. The Australian left-arm cricketer seamer was roped in by the 3-time finalists for his base price of ₹75 lakhs.
With Josh Hazlewood being RCB’s first overseas fast bowler and David Willey being a left-arm option, Behrendorff unsuccessful to secure regular match time. Both franchises agreed to a trade move ahead of the tiny-auction, which saw the fast bowler join the 5-time winners for a 2nd stint.
RCB’s Head coach Sanjay Bangar speaks about the importance of consistency as he gives his take on RCB’s retention strategy ahead of IPL 2023.#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2023 #IPLRetentions #ClassOf2023 pic.twitter.com/LM9kSmdPtb
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) November 16, 2022
MI were on the watch for a left-arm fast bowler after releasing both Tymal Mills and Jaydev Unadkat from their team.
Describing how Behrendorff’s trade move to MI panned out, Sanjay Bangar said in a video upload on RCB’s social media handles:
“Jason Behrendroff was traded to MI primarily because Josh Hazlewood will be available for the bulk of the season.”
Bangar continued:
“Jason was keen on being part of a playing XI and that is where the opportunities at RCB were always going to be limited. So, that was the thought process behind that release.”
RCB, who complet 3rd in the 2022 edition, retained most of their team. They released 6 performers in the form of Jason Behrendorff, Aneeshwar Gautam, Chama Milind, Luvnith Sisodia, and Sherfane Rutherford. They have ₹8.75 crore left in their handbag with 2 overseas slots to fill.
“It would have been difficult for us to pressure him in the playing XI” – Sanjay Bangar on Sherfane Rutherford’s release
West Indies player Sherfane Rutherford was the 2nd overseas performer released by the RCB ahead of the IPL 2023 mega-auction. He was part of the playing XI in the initial set of games in the previous edition due to Glenn Maxwell’s scarcity.
A gritty knock against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and a poor excursion against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) was all he could collect as he unsuccessful to break into the playing XI.
For keeping a calm head in pressure situations, for being a thorough professional and for bringing back the Caribbean flavour to the camp, thank you Sherfane. 👏
Once a Royal Challenger, always a Royal Challenger. 🙌#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/hNhqYJjOGv
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) November 15, 2022
Commenting on Rutherford’s release from the franchise, Bangar said:
“As far as Sherfane Rutherford was concerned, he got his opportunities, we were tracking his progress and obviously, the Maxwell injury and the kind of cover that we ideally want for him, it would have been hard for us to force Sherfane in the playing XI.”
RCB also partitioned ways with 3 domestic performers among their ranks. The head coach had a communication for the trio and affirmed that the franchise will remain to keep tabs on them. He said:
“We had to, unfortunately, release a couple of our players, Milind, Aneeshwar and Sisodia, the domestic players.”
Bangar continued:
“I am pretty sure that the exposure that they got last season with the team, traveling and training with the players, their interaction with overseas players, would have certainly helped them a bit. Our best wishes to them and we will be keeping an eye on them.”
The Faf du Plessis-led side will be enthusiastic to end their silverware drought in the upcoming edition of the tournament. The side will come back to the Chinnaswamy Stadium as well after a long period, with a reinforced side in the aftermath of the mini-auction.
Also read:- “He was a bully, I Don’t have time for bullies” – Faf du Plessis statement on David Warner