Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) took some important pre-IPL 2024 auction decisions, remaking their team to produce a more focused and more balanced squad. The franchise has ended with some of the well-known faces, particularly in the bowling and all-rounder units, and is an indication of a change in strategy. In this in-depth discussion, the list of the released players in 2024, RCB released players 2024 the reasons behind the exits, the purse strategy, the plan to auction the team, new signings, and the overall effect on the squad.
We will discuss about RCB Released Players 2024: Team,Player list, Released and More
List of RCB Released Players 2024
RCB presented its final list of released players before the IPL 2024 auction to the BCCI. The management decided to part ways with costly international stars, underperforming actors and a number of local bowlers who did not find it easy to establish themselves.
RCB Released Players 2024 (Final List)
The table below demonstrates the full list of the players who dropped out of the RCB set-up prior to the tournament:
| Player | Role | Category |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | Spin all-rounder | Overseas |
| Harshal Patel | Right-arm medium-fast bowler | Indian |
| Josh Hazlewood | Right-arm fast bowler | Overseas |
| Finn Allen | Wicketkeeper-batter | Overseas |
| Michael Bracewell | Batting all-rounder | Overseas |
| David Willey | Seamer all-rounder | Overseas |
| Wayne Parnell | Seam-bowling all-rounder | Overseas |
| Sonu Yadav | Bowler | Indian |
| Avinash Singh | Bowler | Indian |
| Siddharth Kaul | Medium-fast bowler | Indian |
| Kedar Jadhav | Batting all-rounder | Indian |
| Shahbaz Ahmed | Spin all-rounder (trade out) | Indian |
Although Shahbaz Ahmed was technically transferred to Sunrisers Hyderabad, many lists of released players include his name since he was no longer part of the RCB 2024 squad.. This team was a significant percentage of the bowling team of RCB, which underscores the management desire to topple the attack with new faces before the season.
RCB Retained Core and Released Names
As they removed a few of the frontline bowlers and reserve all-rounders, RCB did not compromise their main batting backbone and their leadership team. The franchise still depended on its long time stars especially in the top order and middle order. The table below provides a brief list of the most important retained players who made the backbone of the 2024 team.
RCB Key Retained Players 2024
| Player | Role |
| Virat Kohli | Batter |
| Faf du Plessis | Batter (Captain) |
| Glenn Maxwell | All-rounder |
| Mohammed Siraj | Bowler |
| Rajat Patidar | Batter |
| Dinesh Karthik | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Anuj Rawat | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Mahipal Lomror | Batting all-rounder |
| Karn Sharma | Spinner |
| Will Jacks | All-rounder |
| Reece Topley | Fast bowler |
| Akash Deep, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Himanshu Sharma, Suyash Prabhudessai, Rajan Kumar, Manoj Bhandage | Domestic core |
RCB Purse Remaining for IPL 2024 Auction
The auction of the high-value overseas players and the pricey Indian bowlers earned RCB one of the largest purses prior to the IPL 2024 mini auction. Following the retention of 18 players, RCB was left with a purse of around 40.75 crore. Such a huge budget made it possible to be quite adventurous with acquisitions and to restructure the fast-bowling department entirely.
After the auction ended, RCB filled all 25 squad positions and had only about 2.85 crore left, showing that the franchise used all its money to restore key positions. RCB spent much of the purse on express pacers, effective all-rounders, and death-over experts, reflecting its expanded ambitions for the season.
The blockbuster trade of Cameron Green (₹17.5 crore) by Mumbai Indians further influenced and shaped the 2024 squad. His inclusion made a strong middle order choice and a rapid bowling all-rounder that RCB had long been short of.
Why Players Release
Every player’s release was explained by a certain strategy. The decision made by RCB was based on a mix of fitness problems, poor and inconsistent performances, high price tags and change in team philosophy. The reasons why the major players were released or traded are given in details below.
1: Wanindu Hasaranga
Wanindu Hasaranga joined RCB as a high-end selection valuing 10.75 crore but due to the small size of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, and good batting grounds, the impact was curtailed in general. Though he had the match winning spells at intervals, the inconsistency and high maintenance cost led to the management releasing him and channeling the funds to fast bowling.
2. Harshal Patel
Another ₹10.75 crore signing is Harshal Patel who had a gorgeous Purple Cap season two years ago but has not been able to be effective in death overs over the past years. There were opposing batters, who started reading his slower variations, which resulted in the increase of rates of economy.
3. Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood was a high standard pacer who played well with RCB whenever he was available but was hindered by frequent injuries. His 7.75 crore price and uncertain status for the season would have ensued him as an unsafe retention to RCB in its search to find pacers who could commit to a complete season.
4. Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, David Willey and Wayne Parnell
These foreign players did not have a chance because there were already dominant foreign batters and all-rounders in the playing XI. There were only four foreign slots per match, and RCB made a priority of experts capable of adding greater impact or providing a solution to urgent needs. Their liberation opened a space and finance to seek specific roles in the auction.
5. Domestic Bowlers and All-rounders
Indian players like Siddharth Kaul, Sonu Yadav, Avinash Singh and Kedar Jadhav did not enjoy the regular gameplay time and were unlikely to play a major role in future projections. RCB decided to replace the bench strength with younger and more versatile players. The decision by Shahbaz Ahmed was a strategic one because it provided not only RCB but the franchise to which it was sold with more balance in the form of a squad.
New Signings post-Releases: RCB Rebuilding their Squad
An aggressive follow-up on the IPL 2024 auction was made on the exits of high profile bowlers and all-rounders. RCB emphasized on crude speed, diversity and performers who have produced results in T20. Their largest purchases were an indication of a new focus on the reinvention of the bowling division.
Major RCB Signings After 2024 Auction
| Player | Role | Price (₹ crore) |
| Alzarri Joseph | Fast bowler | 11.5 |
| Yash Dayal | Left-arm pacer | 5 |
| Lockie Ferguson | Fast bowler | 2 |
| Tom Curran | Seam-bowling all-rounder | 1.5 |
| Cameron Green (trade) | All-rounder | 17.5 |
RCB Released Players 2024 and Key Reasons
| Player | Role | Type | Reason (Short) |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | Spin all-rounder | Overseas | High salary, inconsistent impact, purse reset |
| Harshal Patel | Medium-fast bowler | Indian | High cost vs reduced performance in death overs |
| Josh Hazlewood | Fast bowler | Overseas | Injury-prone, availability issues |
| Finn Allen | WK-batter | Overseas | Limited chances due to top-order stability |
| Michael Bracewell | All-rounder | Overseas | Backup role, overseas slot pressure |
| David Willey | All-rounder | Overseas | Tactical shift to express pace |
| Wayne Parnell | All-rounder | Overseas | Short-term option, not part of long-term plan |
| Kedar Jadhav | Batting all-rounder | Indian | Veteran backup, reduced future role |
| Siddharth Kaul | Medium-fast bowler | Indian | Lack of opportunities |
| Sonu Yadav | Bowler | Indian | Slot clearance for new bowlers |
| Avinash Singh | Bowler | Indian | Development pick, replaced in 2024 strategy |
| Shahbaz Ahmed | All-rounder (trade out) | Indian | Squad balance adjustment |
How These Releases Changed RCB’s Balance for IPL 2024
RCB’s squad for IPL 2024 witnessed a major change with the most prominent one being the shift from a spin-dependent and all-rounder-heavy strategy to a pace-dominated one. By letting go of expensive spinners and several overseas backups, RCB has made room for high-impact fast bowlers, a category in which they have been very weak for the last few seasons.
The management also kept their faith in the batting unit, as they believed that the top-order comprising Kohli, du Plessis, Patidar, Jacks and Maxwell would need very little changes. The main focus was on gaining more control during the middle-overs and getting the death-over execution right—two areas where RCB have traditionally been weak. With the introduction of Alzarri Joseph, Ferguson, Dayal, Curran and Green, RCB can be considered as having a bowling line-up that is well-balanced and can face any match situation.
Conclusion
RCB releasing players 2024 list is a clear indication of a well-planned and aggressive approach towards restructuring. The removal of high-cost foreign players, underperforming bowlers and surplus backups enabled the team to create both the financial and structural space necessary for assembling a squad that is more competitive. The revamped bowling attack along with a stable batting core, intended to solve RCB’s perennial problems and at the same time strengthen their championship ambitions. While reflecting on the 2024 season, fans will see that releases, trades and smart auction buys combined as the main tools for a franchise that was determined to break past patterns and create a squad capable of mounting a serious title challenge.
FAQs
RCB kept the top stars like Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Siraj, and Dinesh Karthik, as well as a handful of young Indian talents.
RCB parted ways with Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, David Willey, and a few domestic players.
Royal Challengers Bangalore’s purse will have INR 23.25 crore left for the mini-auction.
RCB acquired Australia’s all-rounder Cameron Green from Mumbai Indians in a straight cash deal of INR 17.5 crore.
Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat has come on board and Andy Flower, is the new head coach to lead the team in IPL 2024.
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