'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 He has been replaced by veteran South African pacer Wayne Parnell.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 Hasaranga 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 overs 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.

Mama Miyan@mamaNmiyan

Too big decisions...no Boulty, no Hasaranga. The second being more baffling. #RRvsRCB

03:08 PM · May 14, 2023

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Anand Singh@CricyANAND

They dropped hasaranga. I mean seriously???? That too in Sawai mansingh??? Unbelievable..... Take a bow RCB 🙇🏻🙇🏻 #RCBvsRR #RRvsRCB #ViratKohli #fafduplessis #sanjusamson #chahal

03:12 PM · May 14, 2023

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Soorya Sesha@sooryasesha7

RCB clearly want a batting boost with Bracewell but I can't believe Hasaranga has been left out. Last two games might have been poor for him but he's still a match-winner and it removes a big Samson matchup. RR might want to open the attack with a spinner #RRvsRCB #IPL2023

03:07 PM · May 14, 2023

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Harshit Waghela@harshit911

This is the one game where you need hasaranga #RCBvRR #RRvsRCB

03:04 PM · May 14, 2023

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Ritikardo Di Caprio 💗 💛@ThandaPeg

Sanju's reaction when Faf said "Bracewell replaces Hasaranga" 😹😹😹

03:10 PM · May 14, 2023

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Slog Sweep-189@SloggSweep

Another brain dead move from RCB clown management to drop Hasaranga in Jaipur. I agree Bracewell was needed because of batting depth but they could have played an Indian seamer ahead of Parnell .

03:16 PM · May 14, 2023

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Manya@CSKian716

Hazlewood and Hasaranga dropped before Rawat. Amazing.

03:20 PM · May 14, 2023

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Sai@akakrcb6

We should have backed Hasaranga ... Our wicket-taker last match... On this big ground, he would have been effective ... Now we don't have a wicket taker anyway this season is done .

03:18 PM · May 14, 2023

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Sparsh Telang@_cricketsparsh

Hazlewood & Hasaranga can be ousted, but Anuj Rawat, with a career average of 14 and SR of 102.44, can't be dropped?

03:18 PM · May 14, 2023

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Yashh@Y_On_Earthh

Dropping Hasaranga is equivalent to GT dropping Rashid Khan or Mumbai dropping Piyush Chawla RCB management has lost their brains

03:21 PM · May 14, 2023

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Check Here: IPL 2023: Playoffs qualification scenarios for Rajasthan Royals (RR)