Vivo IPL 2021: In a major development for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the franchise has roped in Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga for the upcoming UAE leg of the Vivo IPL 2021. Hasaranga came into the limelight following his pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s T20I series win against India last month.
The development came after Australian spinner Adam Zampa along with Daniel Sams made themselves unavailable for the IPL 2021 phase 2. While Zampa has been replaced by Wanindu Hasaranga, RCB covered the loss of Daniel Sams by adding, another Sri Lankan, Dushmantha Chameera in the squad.
Also, Finn Allen is also unavailable for the upcoming tournament and RCB has called up Tim David, who was brilliant in the Big Bash League.
Another Australian all-rounder, Kane Richardson is also not available for the forthcoming 31 matches of the Vivo IPL 2021. No replacement has been named for the all-rounder as of now, however, RCB is closely working to cover up the voids.
Simon Katich stepped down as RCB’s head coach:
The franchise also informed that RCB head coach Simon Katich has stepped down ahead of the IPL season citing “some personal reasons” and the current Director of Cricket Operations for RCB Mike Hesson will take up the charge for this season.
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Vivo IPL 2021: RCB roped in Sri Lankan all rounder Wanindu Hasaranga for IPL 2021.
“Simon Katich has decided to step down from his post as head coach and mainly due to personal reasons. We support his decision. Mike Hesson will step in and discharge the duties as head coach until the end of this tournament. Hesson has been coaching NZ team and other teams. Mike will step in until the end of the tournament,” said Rajesh Menon, vice-president and head, Royal Challengers Bangalore in the press conference.
Although a few franchises have already set up their bases in the Middle East, RCB will assemble on August 21 in Bangalore and undergo a mandatory seven days quarantine. The team will have to show up three covid negative reports during this time.
The franchise is scheduled to board a charter flight on August 29 for the UAE and will undergo another fresh round of six days quarantine in the UAE.
“We have made some changes to the squad pertaining to the situation. We have come a long way and showed steady growth as a team,” said Mike Hesson.
“The addition of Wanindu Hasaranga, Tim David and Dushmantha Chameera couldn’t have come at a better time during the replacement window, as we aim to continue with the momentum, building on our performance from earlier this year,” he added.
Mike Hesson on him leading coaching role for RCB:
“I’m very fortunate we’ve got a very experienced coaching group. So you know my role will be to work with those guys,” Hesson said. “Yes, a slight change in role, training days and playing days will be a little more hands-on and I’m looking forward to that.
“Looking forward to everyone in the coaching group making their contributions and us working together to support the team. I’ll be obviously more a hands-on part of that. But I have been involved throughout the last couple of years and know the support staff really well. Look, there’ll be challenges but that’ll be exciting in terms of as I said rolling up our sleeves a little bit and getting back to things on the day to day side of things.”