‘Take a bow’ – Fans seethe as RCB drop Wanindu Hasaranga and Josh Hazlewood against RR

The high-profile clash between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore saw both teams make changes to their playing eleven, with the Bangalore-based franchise dropping big-name players, Josh Hazlewood and Wanindu Hasaranga. While Wayne Parnell replaced the Australian pacer, Kiwi all-rounder Michael Bracewell replaced the Sri Lankan spinner in the starting eleven.

Faf du Plessis’s side, needing a win to keep themselves alive in the tournament, dropped star bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Wanindu Hasaranga for the crucial IPL 2023 clash against Rajasthan Royals. Both players endured underwhelming outings in their last match against Mumbai Indians. 

Hazlewood, who impressed in his first two outings in this year’s competition, was taken for plenty by the Mumbai Indians in his last match. He has been replaced by veteran South African pacer Wayne Parnell. Meanwhile, the RCB team management made a glaring change by dropping Wanindu Hasaraga as well for the match against RR.

RCB strengthen their lower middle order 

It is a bizarre move according to the fans, as the surface at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium has plenty of assistance for the slower bowlers, something that would’ve suited Hasaranga’s bowling style. Although he has been expensive with the ball in the last few matches, his omission might have something to do with RCB’s lack of firepower in the lower middle order.

With Dinesh Karthik not being consistent enough with the bat, the inclusion of Bracewell can provide an extra layer of safety in the middle-order, which has been RCB’s weak link in the recent past. The Kiwi all-rounder is no mug with the ball either and can chip in with a few handy over for the Men in Gold and Red. Meanwhile, the home side also dropped veteran Kiwi pacer Trent Boult in favour of Australian leggie Adam Zampa.