'There skill sets will be of huge help to us' - Virat Kohli says Hasaranga and Chameera will give new dimensions to RCB

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) roped in Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera for the second leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Both the players had decent outings against India in the T20I series which helped them get into the limelight. The players were roped in after the Australia duo of Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson pulled out of the remaining part of IPL. Indian skipper Virat Kohli said the players are a boost to the side given their experience of playing in similar conditions.

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“We have made changes, we’ve got a few replacements. Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa who were with us in the first leg, made a decision not to play in the second leg for reasons which are absolutely understandable.

“The replacements we have got for those guys are two players who know these conditions, the conditions in the sub continent around this time are similar,” Kohli said at the unveiling of team’s blue jersey.

Hasaranga has been very impressive for Sri Lanka, especially in the T20Is where he has picked up 20 wickets in 12 games so far. In addition, Hasaranga is a handy batter and will add to the depth of the team. Chameera does not have many wickets to show but has a brilliant strike rate of 16.4.

Kohli further said the addition of players will give RCB a new dimension. “Wanidu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera have played so much cricket in Sri Lanka and know how to play in pitches like these. There skill sets will be of huge help to us. “We haven’t spoken at all on what we have missed out on because players have pulled out. We feel stronger, the new additions have given us a new dimension,” Kohli added.

RCB enjoyed a decent run in the first leg and won five of their seven games to settle at third, and the skipper is confident the team will show the same intensity in the UAE leg as they showed in India. RCB resumes their campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on 20th September in Abu Dhabi.

“Having played the game for so long at this level you understand that whether you are seven wins in a row you have to start the eighth with the same passion and commitment and professionalism.
“Whether you have no wins out of five games you still have to find motivation and the passion inside to go out and change the result. You can’t take anything for granted.

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