Former Indian batter Ajay Jadeja reckons Royal Challengers Bangalore’s spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has failed to impress in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League.
Hasaranga was bought for a whopping amount of INR 10.75 crores in the IPL 2022 mega auction by RCB.
The Sri Lankan spinner has done a decent job as he has picked 15 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 18.20 and an economy rate of 8.03 but Jadeja isn’t impressed by Hasaranga’s returns.
Hasaranga hasn’t been able to put a lid on the scoring rate in the middle overs and he will look to pull up the socks in the remaining matches. Jadeja believes there are Indian players waiting in the wings in RCB’s squad and Hasaranga could be dropped if he doesn’t deliver the goods.
Jadeja said on Cricbuzz, “It’s been 10 matches and Hasaranga hasn’t impressed with the ball. He was purchased with much fanfare, but in some of the games, he has bowled only two to three overs. I don’t think he has delivered to expectations. There are Indian spinners in the squad. If they want, they can change the entire calculation and bring in a pure bowler. Hasaranga bats as well but by the time he comes in, the match is over. Instead of Hasaranga, RCB can go for a proper bowler who can support Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, and Josh Hazlewood.”
On the other hand, RCB has won five matches out of the 10 games they have played and Jadeja reckons the franchise will be under pressure as they have more to lose in the ongoing season.
“RCB are under greater pressure as they have more to lose. They are still in with a chance of qualifying but if they lose here, they may end up ruing the fact that they stumbled towards the end. For Chennai, from where they are coming in, it’s all plus.”
RCB will face defending champions CSK on Wednesday.
