Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have roped in New Zealand allrounder Michael Bracewell ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023).
The Bengaluru-based outfit has signed up the allrounder to replace their English recruit Will Jacks. The England allrounder was ruled out of the IPL due to a muscle injury. He sustained the injury earlier this month while fielding during the second ODI in Bangladesh.
He was forced to withdraw from IPL 2023 after scans and subsequent consultation with a specialist. Earlier in December, RCB had signed up Jacks for Rs 3.2 crore. He was seen as an apt cover for veteran allrounder Glenn Maxwell.
Michael Bracewell joins RCB:
With Will Jacks ruled out of IPL, Michael Bracewell has replaced him in the RCB squad. The New Zealand allrounder had registered himself at the auction for a base price of Rs 1 crore but could not attract any bid from the ten franchises.
A spin-bowling allrounder, Michael Bracewell is known for his hard-hitting ability with the bat. He made his debut for New Zealand in all the three formats last year and hit the ground running in international cricket. Bracewell played one of the best ODI knocks of the last year when he smashed 127 not out from 82 balls to bail New Zealand out from 217 for 8 in a chase of 302 against Ireland.
In the following game, he took 2 for 26 in ten overs and helped finish off another chase with an unbeaten 42. He scored his second ODI century this year when he smashed 140 runs off just 78 balls against India in Hyderabad. The knock almost helped New Zealand chase down 350 after they were reduced to 131 for 6.
IPL 2023 will get underway on March 31 with a clash between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings. On the other hand, RCB will open their campaign in IPL 2023 on April 2 when they lock horns against Mumbai Indians.