IPL 2021: Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera’s skill sets will help us, says Kohli

Tags: Indian T20 League 2021, Bangalore XI, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Virat Kohli, Pathira Vasan Dushmantha Chameera, Pinnaduwage Wanidu Hasaranga De Silva

Published on: Sep 19, 2021

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli has stated that the inclusion of Sri Lanka cricketers Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera will boost the franchise ahead of the UAE leg of IPL 2021. Hasaranga and Chameera were named as replacements for Adam Zampa and Daniel Sams, who will be unavailable for the second half of IPL 2021.

Speaking at a virtual press conference, Kohli said about RCB’s replacements, "Adam Zampa and Richardson were with us in the first leg but they decided to not play in the second essay for the reasons absolutely understandable. The replacements we have got are Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera.

“They have played so much cricket for Sri Lanka and they understand how to play on pitches like these and their skill sets will be of huge help for us, playing in Dubai and how the wicket will play out they know everything. We feel stronger as the new additions have given us few other dimensions," he added.

RCB were impressive in the first half of IPL 2021, and will resume the event in the top four of the points table. Glenn Maxwell, their new signing was highly impressive while AB de Villiers carried on his great run. With the ball, ball Harshal Patel was a surprise success story.

"We had a great start to the first half of IPL 2021. We know that we can play a certain brand of cricket as we have shown in the first leg with consistent performances. Whether you have seven wins in the row, you have to start the eighth game with the same passion. And if you have no wins in five games which we have experience as a team, you still have to find motivation. You just cannot afford to take things for granted," Kohli said.

RCB players Kohli and Mohammed Siraj recently returned from England, where India featured in a fascinating Test series. On finishing quarantine and getting back in the mix with players, Kohli stated, "When after quarantine I stepped out, yesterday to practice, I did not feel we went away at all. I felt like this is just an extension of where we left. The spirit the camaraderie was absolutely the same and the excitement could be felt in the air. I was very happy to see such a relaxed environment.”

RCB’s first match in the second half of IPL 2021 will be against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Abu Dhabi on September 20.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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