IPL 2020: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) release 12 players from their squad

The Indian Premier League Governing Council had fixed the deadline for submitting the franchises final list of retained and released players by 15th November 2019. Ahead of the auction which is slated to take place on December 19 in Kolkata, the IPL franchises have finally shared the list of their retained and released players. Royal Challengers Bangalore have announced the list of the players that they have released ahead of the IPL 2020 auction. One of the prominent names in the list is South African speedster Dale Steyn.

Along with Dale Steyn, Bangalore have released eleven other players. Himmat Singh, Heinrich Klaasen, Tim Southee, Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis, Akshdeep Singh, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Colin de Grandhomme, Prayas Ray Barman, Milind Kumar and Kulwant Khejroliya comprise the list of players released by RCB. In a move that seemed to be surprising for many RCB fans, Bangalore chose to let go of Steyn, Southee and Coulter-Nile, who were touted to be vital elements of RCB’s bowling attack.

Steyn, who had joined RCB in the previous season in place of Coulter Nile, was ruled out of the IPL due to a shoulder injury. The spearhead of the Kiwi attack- Tim Southee represented RCB in 40 matches where he scalped 28 wickets including the best figures of 3/24. Bangalore also parted ways with aggressive West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer, who failed to leave his mark in the league after playing only six matches for RCB in the previous season. The hard-hitting batsman could only amass 90 runs in five appearances at an average of 18.00.

RCB left with Rs 27.90 crores

Marcus Stoinis, who failed to cement his spot in the RCB side, was also shown the exit door by the franchise. Stoinis was snapped up by Bangalore in 2016 season of the IPL. The all-rounder has gathered 473 runs for RCB along with scalping 15 wickets in 29 games. Another all-rounder Colin De Grandhome, who played only four matches for RCB in the last season, has been released by the franchise.

Bangalore have been left with a hefty amount of Rs 27.90 crores after releasing twelve players. RCB are expected to reinforce their side by splurging the cash on match-winning players in the IPL 2020 auction. RCB have been left with 12 spots, including 6 overseas ones. The Virat Kolhi-led side will be eager to bolster their bowling attack after failing to deliver a strong bowling performance in recent IPL seasons.

RCB Released Players: Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetymer, Akshdeep Nath, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Colin de Grandhomme, Prayas Ray Barman, Tim Southee, Kulwant Khejroliya, Himmat Singh, Heinrich Klaasen, Milind Kumar, Dale Steyn