Will RCB consider releasing players before auction?

26th November would be the last day for Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises to release players ahead of the mini auction which would be held on December 19th in Dubai. 

No concrete news has emerged from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) camp but they do have an extensive task lined up before them as many of the shortcomings with regard to squad depth were exposed in the 2023 edition. Their batting is heavily reliant on Faf Du Plessis, Kohli and Maxwell. Having released Yuzvendra Chahal and Hasaranga being constantly injury prone, they would need to add depth in that regard as well. Having a back-up wicket keeper to Dinesh Karthik will also be on their priority list. 

Their current team purse is Rs 1.75 crore. 6 other teams rank ahead of them in this regard. The RCB might release players to increase their purchasing power in the auction. 

Potential candidates who might be released include Daid Willey, given the fact that he played only 4 games in this season. Reece Topley and Will Jacks who were bought at a price of Rs 1.9 crore and Rs 3.2 crore respectively could not participate in a major part of the tournament owing to injuries. They too might be released given that a team would want its full reserve squad at its disposal for a larger part of the tournament.