IPL 2024: AB de Villiers opens up on missing link in RCB squad

Former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) player AB de Villiers said that RCB is missing an X-factor spinner like Rashid Khan in its Indian Premier League 2024 squad. According to the veteran, RCB have strengthened their pace-bowling attack with the addition of Alzarri Joseph and Lockie Ferguson, but the spin attack remains weak.

Notably, RCB released veteran leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction and Wanindu Hasaranga before the 2024 auction as well. They failed to purchase a star spinner at the mini-auction in Dubai, focusing more on pace attack.

In a Q&A session on his YouTube channel, AB de Villiers opened up on the missing link in the RCB squad for IPL 2024. He said, “One or two incredible spinners; X-factor spinners. I think of guys like Kuldeep Yadav. We need an X-factor spinner like Rashid Khan perhaps. We got rid of Yuzi Chahal not long ago. We missed him over the last few years, and I think that’s still the missing link. They also let go Hasaranga. I don’t know what the plans are there.”

The veteran also opined that RCB should have tried harder for quality spinners at the auction but also added that they did well with their buys in the fast-bowling department.

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“The spin department, I don’t think is strong enough. They could have done a little bit better. But, I think they added to the seam bowling, which has been the area that has let us down at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in the past. I do think Alzarri Joseph justifies that decision.”

“Very good buy for ₹11.5 crore” – AB de Villiers on Alzarri Joseph

While many have questioned West Indies pace bowler Joseph’s purchase for ₹11.5 crore, AB de Villiers does not feel RCB overspend on him as well. Apart from Joseph and Ferguson, RCB bought Yash Dayal, Tom Curran, Saurav Chuahan and Swapnil Singh at the IPL 2024 auction as well.

“(Joseph) Very good buy for ₹11.5 crore; I think it was a fair price. Yash Dayal also very good for ₹5 crore. Lockie Ferguson was a very good late pick up. I thought RCB was having a fairly average auction up until Ferguson and Tom Curran buys, where they got a lot of experience for not a lot of money. We all know Ferguson can bowl 150 kph. That’s exactly what you need at the Chinnaswamy Stadium,” he concluded.