In a surprising move, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has released Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The decision stems from Hazlewood’s impending paternity leave, as he and his partner are expecting a baby at the end of March.

Josh Hazlewood’s unavailability for the majority of the IPL 2024 season prompted RCB’s decision not to retain him. Coach Andy Flower confirmed this development in a recent video posted by the team, explaining, “I’ve come up with Josh Hazlewood on the phone. He pleasingly has a baby on the way due at the end of March. So Josh won’t be with us, certainly during the first half.”

Hazlewood joined RCB in 2022 and quickly made a significant impact, taking 20 wickets in 12 matches during his debut season with the team. His impressive performance continued in the following season, as he claimed 3 wickets in the three matches he played.

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The release of Hazlewood has freed up funds for RCB, enabling them to pursue other quality fast bowling options in the upcoming IPL auction.

New RCB coach Andy Flower says Josh Hazlewood and his partner have a baby due at the end of March, which is the reason he’s been released ahead of IPL 2024 https://t.co/TNGYeiUnd0

— Matt Roller (@mroller98) November 26, 2023

Apart from Hazlewood, RCB has also released several other players, including Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasranga, Michael Bracewell, David Willey, Finn Allen, Wayne Parnell, Sonu Yadav, Avinash Singh Sidarth Kaul, and Kedar Jadhav.

Regarding the release of key players like Hasaranga and Patel, Coach Flower explained, “Harshal has been an excellent performer for RCB in the past. He is a high-value player in our box. He was for 10.75 crores, and in our effort to release some cash to give us flexibility and buying power in the auction, he’s someone we had to look closely at. Hasaranga was also a high-value player in terms of monetary value, and so releasing that money into the auction gives us flexibility.”

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With these player releases, RCB has created room in their squad and budget to strengthen their team for the upcoming IPL 2024 season.

Retained players of RCB:

Faf Du Plessis (C), Glenn Maxwell, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Anuj Rawat, Dinesh Karthik, Suyash Prabhudessai, Will Jacks, Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Manoj Bhandage, Mayank Dagar (From Srh), Vyshak Vijay Kumar, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Rajan Kumar

Here is how the netizens reacted to the move:

One surprising release for me was of Josh Hazlewood by RCB. He’s such a handy bowler in every phase of the game but I guess this has been done due to his unavailability. Hazlewood was probably going to opt out of the next season, the only believable reason for me.#IPLretention

— Abhijeet Rathi (@AbhijeetRathi5) November 26, 2023

RCB has taken the worst decision by

retaining Dinesh Karthik and releasing

Prime Josh Hazlewood.

— Avdhesh Kumar Mishra (@Ridorick_76) November 26, 2023

Josh Hazlewood released RCB. Is this going to be a mistake? Josh is in a Top form of Bowling.#IPL2024Auction #IPLretention #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/hchNIUYPOO

— Sports Wire Media (@SportsWireMedia) November 26, 2023

RCB HAVE RELEASED JOSH HAZLEWOOD…!!!! pic.twitter.com/5kOP9UMr6b

— Saleem Malik (@maliknaeem786_) November 26, 2023

Rcb releas3d Josh hazlewood#IPLRetentions pic.twitter.com/iVi5My8F2u

— Malikbasit (@Malikba87363348) November 26, 2023

Releasing Josh Hazlewood has to be the biggest blunder of RCB.#IPLretention #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/3JgKC6Koxp

— Sakshi (@Sakshi5164) November 26, 2023

The two other interesting releases are Jofra Archer, who @mipaltan had nurtured and were optimistic about. And Josh Hazlewood at @RCBTweets which I suspect could be an indication that he may not be available

— Aditya Rawat (@AdityaRwt18) November 26, 2023

I think they are eyeing on #MitchellStarc and #RachinRavindra in place of #JoshHazlewood and #WaninduHasaranga but why did they release #MichaelBracewell?👀🙄#IPLretention #IPL2024Auction

— Ashish  (@OfficialAsheesh) November 26, 2023

Josh Hazlewood released by Clown RCB. Lets go🤧🤧💛💛 pic.twitter.com/bnlZNwjjPi

— 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐨 Das (@SergioCSKK) November 26, 2023

Baki sab too thik hai par Josh hazlewood ko kyu release Kiya😭😭

Ya too RCB ki management team kuch bada soch rahi hai fir dubara blunder kar diya🫠🫠#abhiya https://t.co/ueSuVR07Nh

— Ayush (@Devil6666787) November 26, 2023