Sensational spinner joins RCB ahead of remainder of IPL, Katich steps down as head coach
New Delhi: Sri Lanka leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who played a pivotal role in his team's T20 series win against a depleted Indian side, has been picked by Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which maintained its trend of picking players who do well against 'Men In Blue'.
Along with the world number two T20 bowler Hasaranga, who replaced Adam Zampa, RCB also picked Sri Lankan pacer Dushmantha Chameera who replaced Daniel Sams of Australia.
Big Bash Sensation Tim David will come in as replacement of New Zealand's Finn Allen.
The franchise also informed that their head coach Simon Katich has stepped down from his post due to "personal reasons" and Director of Cricket Mike Hesson will now double up as team's chief coach as well.
The Indian players, support staff and the team management will be assembling in Bengaluru on August 21 following which the team will undergo a seven-day quarantine.
They will also undergo Covid tests thrice days during the period.
The team will then depart via a chartered flight from Bangalore 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.
"We have made some changes to the squad pertaining to the situation. We have come a long way and have shown steady progress as a team," Hesson said.
"The addition of Wanindu Hasaranga, Tim David and Dushmantha Chameera couldn't have come at a better time during the replacement window, as we aim to continue with the momentum, building on our performance from earlier this year," he added.
When asked, if Hasaranga's series winning-seven wickets in three T20 Internationals against India including best figures of 4/9, prompted RCB to select the leg-break bowler, Hesson said it's one of the reason but not the only reason.
"It's certainly not a recency factor and we certainly not surprised by his success in recent times. We like his skill-set. We like the fact that he is multi-skilled cricketer and offers to bat deep as well if we plan to play an overseas spinner along with Chahal.
"That gives us an exciting option. The fact that he performed against India is great but not surprising at all," the former Black Caps coach said about Hasaranga, who has picked 33 wickets in 24 T20I games at an economy rate of 6.56.
"We have a scouting programme that has been in place for at least last two years. We know every player is playing cricket at a decent level. We have an extensive scouting programme and Wanindu has been on our radar for a long time.
"If we needed a replacement last time, Wanindu would have been the person, we would have called upon," he explained.
The RCB media person deflected questions on star Indian players, which were not sent across to Hesson.
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Protest over ATM staff shooting ends after assurance from MP Sagar Khandre
Bidar: A major protest erupted in front of the district government hospital following a deadly shooting incident involving State Bank of India ATM staff. One staff member was killed, and another critically injured when unidentified assailants opened fire as they attempted to deposit money at the ATM.
The incident drew public outrage, with family members of the victims and local residents gathering outside the hospital. They demanded immediate compensation, job security for a family member, and expedited post-mortem procedures, criticizing the absence of senior officials and government representatives earlier in the day.
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MP Sagar Khandre later arrived to offer condolences and address the protesters' concerns. Responding to demands, he assured that he would discuss the matter with the Chief Minister to arrange for two acres of land and a government job for the victim’s family. Additionally, he confirmed that since the case falls under the Atrocity Act, the Social Welfare Department would provide Rs. 8 lakh in compensation.
Following his assurances, the protest was called off, bringing temporary relief to the tense situation. Police investigations into the robbery and shooting are ongoing, with senior officials, including IGP Ajay Hiroli, overseeing the case.
