Ahead of his aspect’s Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 opener in opposition to Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) head coach Sanjay Bangar mentioned that Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga might be accessible for the aspect solely after April 9 because of his worldwide cricket commitments. RCB will tackle MI of their IPL 2023 marketing campaign opener on Sunday on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. “Wanindu Hasaranga will be unavailable for us till the ninth of this month,” mentioned Bangar within the pre-match press convention. Hasaranga was the main wicket-taker for RCB final season and was the second-highest wicket-taker total with 26 scalps in 16 matches at a mean of 16.53 and an economic system charge of seven.54. His greatest bowling figures within the final season have been 5/18.
England pacer Reece Topley might be a like-for-like alternative for Australian fast Josh Hazlewood, who might be lacking out on the primary half of the league because of an achilles damage, mentioned the coach.
“We sort of anticipated it (Hazlewood missing IPL games) and it was factored in the auction and pre-auction meetings. Reece Topley provides a like-to-like replacement for him. I am sure that his left-arm bowling will add to the strength of our bowling,” mentioned Bangar.
On the standing of Rajat Patidar, who can be anticipated to overlook the primary half of IPL because of a heel damage, Bangar mentioned that the batter is present process remedy on the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and the franchise is awaiting clarification from him.
The coach additionally added that star Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who lately made his return to cricket within the ODI collection in opposition to Australia after a leg damage sustained final 12 months, has been cleared to play by Cricket Australia (CA) and can play on Sunday.
Bangar revealed that the franchise wished to signal New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell throughout the public sale final 12 months, however needed to signal Will Jacks, an England all-rounder because of the public sale sequence. The all-rounder is now within the crew as a alternative for an injured Jacks.”
“Bracewell is a flexible participant. He can bat on the high and decrease down the order. We might be seeking to make one of the best use of him,” added Bangar.
On playing at the home ground of M Chinnaswammy Stadium after a gap of over three years, Bangar said, “Boys are excited. The build-up was very good. We had this RCB Unbox occasion and in addition the Hall of Fame occasion that the crew administration did. The response to those occasions was good and it gave goosebumps to the brand new boys who haven’t skilled the environment on the Chinnaswammy Stadium. Hope followers will proceed offering the power like they do at all times.”
Last year, RCB qualified for playoffs and lost to Rajasthan Royals in qualifier 2 by seven wickets.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Squad strength: 25 players (overseas 8)
Players bought during IPL 2023 auction – Reece Topley (Rs 1.9 crore), Himanshu Sharma (Rs 20 lakh), Will Jacks (Rs 3.2 crore), Manoj Bhandage (Rs 20 lakh), Rajan Kumar (Rs 70 lakh), Avinash Singh (Rs 60 lakh).
Players retained – Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Suyash Prabhudessai, Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik, Anuj Rawat, Finn Allen, Glenn Maxwell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, David Willey, Karn Sharma, Mahipal Lomror, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood, Siddarth Kaul, Akash Deep.
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