Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The second leg of IPL 2021 is all set to begin. With only six days left for the resumption of the cash-rich league, the excitement among the fans is unmatchable. The players too look excited to take the field. All teams have now reached the UAE and have begun their preparations. With the final Test between India and England cancelled, the players have been flown to join their respective franchises a few days earlier.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli and pacer Mohammad Siraj also landed in Dubai on Sunday morning and are currently undergoing the mandatory six-day quarantine. As franchises now allow the fans to take a sneak peek inside the team’s happenings, RCB shared a video of their players’ journey from Manchester to Dubai which also had a short speech from them. After touching down in Dubai, Virat Kohli spoke about the journey and how he is looking forward to playing in the UAE.
While talking about the replacements in the RCB camp, Kohli said that he has been in touch with everyone and has kept himself updated with who is coming and who is not. He further added that they will surely miss the key players but the replacement players have great skill sets as well. “Our key players will be missed, and they are a part of the family, but the people coming in as well have great skill sets, especially for these conditions. So, I am very excited to see them,” said Kohli.
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As Kohli stated, RCB has roped in some really good replacements. The suspension of the first phase has worked as a blessing in disguise for the Red Army. They have got Wanindu Hasaranga, the No. 2 T20I bowler, in place of Adam Zampa. Tim David, who has shown some great form with the bat, has also found a place in the RCB squad. England’s George Garton has replaced Kane Richardson while Dushmanta Chameera comes in for Daniel Sams. Garton looked good during the Hundred while Chameera possess the ability to hurry the batsmen with his express pace.
RCB looked good during the first phase as they are placed at the third spot in the points table with five wins from seven games. Their biggest concern has been their bowling over different seasons, but the current setup looks good with Harshal Patel, Mohmmad Siraj, Chahal, and Hasaranga.