RCB are set to open their IPL 2023 campaign against MI on April 2.
Ahead of the game, RCB head coach Sanjay Bangar addressed a press conference, where he confirmed that Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga will be available for the side only after April 9 due to his international commitments.
"Wanindu Hasaranga will be unavailable for us till the ninth of this month," said Bangar in the pre-match presser.
Hasaranga was RCB’s highest wicket-taker last season with 26 scalps to his name from 16 games at an average of 16.53 and an economy rate of 7.54.
England pacer Reece Topley will be a like-for-like replacement for Josh Hazlewood, who is likely to miss the first half of IPL 2023 due to achilles injury.
"We sort of anticipated it (Hazlewood missing IPL games) and it was factored in the auction and pre-auction meetings. Reece Topley provides a like-to-like replacement for him. I am sure that his left-arm bowling will add to the strength of our bowling," said Bangar.
Sharing an update on Rajat Patidar, who is also expected to miss the first half of IPL due to a heel injury, Bangar said that the batter is undergoing treatment at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and the franchise is awaiting clarification.
The coach also confirmed that star Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who recently made his return to cricket in the ODI series against India after recovering from a leg injury, has been cleared to play by Cricket Australia (CA) and will feature in RCB’s opening fixture.
On playing at the home ground of Chinnaswammy Stadium after a gap of over three years, Bangar said: "Boys are excited. The build-up was very nice. We had this RCB Unbox event and also the Hall of Fame event that the team management did. The response to these events was nice and it gave goosebumps to the new boys who have not experienced the atmosphere at the Chinnaswammy Stadium. Hope fans will continue providing the energy like they do always."
(With ANI Inputs)