Royal Challengers Bangalore has ramped up their preparations for the second half of the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League by naming three changes to their overseas contingent and a change in the coaching team as well.
On Saturday, the Bangalore-based franchise released a statement stating that head coach Simon Katich has stepped down from the position and Mike Hesson will be taking over from the Australian for the remainder of the current IPL season.
RCB has also signed one of the hottest properties in international cricket in 2021 as a replacement for the unavailable Adam Zampa in Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga.
The 24-year old spin-bowling all-rounder has scored a bit shy of 1000 runs and has taken 62 wickets in 51 international matches that include 21 T20Is, 26 ODIs, and 4 Test matches.
The franchise has also signed Sri Lankan seamer Dushmantha Chameera as a replacement for Australian fast-bowler Daniel Sams.
Chameera has 97 wickets in 73 international matches with the 29-year old seamer picking at least 30 wickets in each format.
Australian T20 specialist Tim David has also replaced New Zealand wicket-keeper Finn Allen ahead of the restart of the current IPL season.
The 25-year old right-hand batsman has 558 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 158.5 and would be hoping to have a similar effect in the cash-rich league.
The new RCB head coach Mike Hesson talked up the latest acquisitions of the franchise and discussed the aims of the team ahead of the resumption of the 2021 edition of the IPL.
He 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 in the replacement window, as we aim to continue with the momentum, building on our performance from earlier this year.”
The Indian players and the coaching staff will be assembling on August 21 for quarantine purposes and the whole squad will be traveling to UAE on 29th August.