Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will have a wealth of local knowledge for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as the RCB have drafted in UAE captain Ahmed Raza and teenager Karthik Meiyappan to their squad for assistance for the duration of the IPL 2020.
The RCB led by Virat Kohli has opted for local knowledge to learn more about the UAE conditions in order to boost their chances to win the maiden IPL trophy this year by acquiring the services of the Emirati cricketers ahead of the tournament starting on 19th September in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The 19-year-old Meiyappan is a leg-spinner, who has played four ODIs for UAE so far while Raza is also a spinner who bowls slow left-arm orthodox and has so far played 72 internationals for his country.
It is being said that the left-arm spinner Raza has completed seven days of quarantine in his room at the team hotel earlier this week and even started training with the RCB squad in Dubai after having been drafted into the squad on the recommendation of their bowling coach Sridharan Sriram.
Reacting to the same, Raza stated: “I was introduced to the players and support staff, and it was really nice for Sri (Sriram) to put in that word for me. He introduced me as the UAE captain. And can you imagine AB walking up to you and saying: Thank you for helping us out.’ Seriously, it was surreal.”
On staying in IPL’s bio-bubble, the 31-year-old said: “It does feel slightly strange being in this bio-secure bubble, but credit to the IPL and RCB. This hotel is great, they have a fantastic team room, and when we have a private area of beach access as well. And then it was great to be involved in my first training session at the ICC Academy as well, as it felt like going back home.”
Notably, RCB will kick start their IPL 2020 campaign against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on 21 September.
(With PTI Inputs)
