The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has roped in the services of the Sri Lankan bowling duo of Dushmantha Chameera and all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, along with Australia’s Tim David for the second phase of the IPL 2021, the franchise announced on Saturday.
The three replacements were announced as certain overseas players are unavailable for the remaining half of the IPL. While Kane Richardson and Adam Zampa had flown back to Australia citing personal reasons in the earlier part of the IPL, it was announced that Daniel Sams won’t be part of RCB’s campaign either. And nor will be New Zealand’s pair of Fin Allen and Scott Kuggeleijn, both of whom would be busy on the national duties.
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In another important announcement, RCB announced that Simon Katich, who served as a coach has stepped down citing personal reasons and Mike Hesson will step in and discharge the duties of head coach for this season, in addition to his existing role of Director of Cricket Operations, RCB.
Announcing the same, Hesson said, “We have made some changes to the squad pertaining to the situation. We have come a long way and have shown steady progress as a team. 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.”
Hasaranga was the Player of the Series in the recently concluded #SLvIND T20I series taking 7 wickets in 3 matches at an economy rate of 5.58.#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2021 #NowAChallenger pic.twitter.com/N6eggNkQ0B
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) August 21, 2021
During India’s limited-overs tour to Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga scalped seven wickets in the T20I series including a four-wicket haul in the deciding game, and emerged as the highest wicket-taker of the series. Having made his debut in 2020 against Sri Lanka, the 24-year-claimed 4/9, helping his team to a seven-wicket win in Colombo.
Like his teammate Hasaranga, Chameera played a crucial role for the hosts against India picking up four wickets in the three T20Is. In the first and third matches respectively, Chameera dismissed Prithvi Shaw and India captain Shikhar Dhawan for first-ball ducks.
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Royal Challengers Bangalore resume Season 14 of the IPL on September 20, 2021 as they will be locking horns with Kolkata Knight Riders at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
