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Sri Lankans Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera were included in the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad for the second leg of the IPL in UAE, starting next month.
Spin all-rounder Hasaranga was the Player of the Series in the three-match T20I series against India last month, taking seven wickets in three matches at an economy rate of 5.58. He replaces Adam Zampa, who had pulled out of the IPL in April, before it was suspended indefinitely after 29 games following several players and backroom staff testing positive for COVID-19.
Fast bowler Chameera also impressed during the India T20I series, taking four wickets in the three games. He replaces another Australian Daniel Sams.
RCB also made another signing as they brought in T20 specialist Tim David in place of Finn Allen. Infact, David is set to be the first player from Singapore to feature in the IPL, having made a name for himself in Australia's Big Bash and for Surrey in English county cricket.
"Tim David is no stranger to the T20 format! After tasting success in T20 leagues around the world, hard hitting batsman & a handy bowler - Tim David - replaces Finn Allen at RCB for the remainder of the season," tweeted RCB.
In another major change for the Virat Kohli-led RCB, Simon Katich has stepped down as the head coach. Kiwi Mike Hesson, who is RCB's Director of Operations, was named as his replacement.
"In another significant development, Simon Katich stepped down as the head coach of RCB due to personal reasons and as part of our business continuity plan 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," said RCB in the media release.
"As the season resumes in the UAE, it’s going to be an exciting chapter ahead. Simon Katich has decided to step down as the Head Coach of RCB, we would like to thank Katich for his work during his time at Royal Challengers and wish him success in the future. In the interim, Mike Hesson will step in and discharge the duties of Head coach until the end of the current season, in addition to his existing role of Director of Cricket," Rajesh Menon, vice-president and head, Royal Challengers Bangalore, said.
RCB, who are third in the table with five wins from seven games, resume their season on September 20th, as they clash against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The Indian players, support staff and the team management will be assembling in Bengaluru on August 21, following which the team will undergo seveb days of quarantine and will undergo COVID-19 tests for three days during the period.
The team will then depart for UAE via a chartered flight from Bangalore on August 29. The other international players and staff will assemble in the UAE starting August 29 onwards. There will be another six days of quarantine in the UAE.