Injury-hit The Royal Challengers Bangalore will start the season without at least two of their best players, Rajat Patidar and Josh Hazlewood. However, they are still hoping that Rajat Patidar will be able to rejoin them.
A day before their first game of the season, which was against the Mumbai Indians in Bangalore, head coach Sanjay Bangar said that he was waiting for a “sporting call” from the National Cricket Academy about Patidar.
“As for Rajat, we don’t have any control over him right now. He’s at the NCA getting some kind of treatment, and we’re still waiting for him to tell us what’s going on. And as soon as we know more, our media team will let you know. It’s also possible that the NCA will decide what he should do or what his future holds in a very fair way “said Bangar.
Patidar was a big surprise last season and stayed at No. 3 with a century in the Eliminator. He is currently getting treatment for a heel injury at the NCA, as Cricadda reported earlier. If he isn’t available, RCB might have to play around with their plans for the top of the order, like putting Virat Kohli there. Bangar wouldn’t say that, though, because it could give away their plan at this point.
Bangar confirmed, though, that Hazlewood is happy with the other option in the ranks.
“We kind of knew it was going to happen, and it was part of the auction or the meeting before the auction. We’re happy to get Reece Topley on board because he’s a good replacement for Josh. When we take that into account, we have a good backup plan. I’m sure that his ability to bowl with his left arm will help the bowling team “said Bangar.
Bangar also said that Glenn Maxwell is healthy and ready to play for RCB, and that Wanindu Hasaranga will join them on April 9 after his international duties are over.
A few players not being available also makes the Impact Player rule stand out. But Bangar had some doubts about the rule. He said he wished they had known about the rule about naming the players after the toss earlier so they could have planned differently.
“The best way to explain the Impact rule is through its definition, which was looked at by every team. But after the auction was over, the impact rule was changed in a way that caught everyone by surprise. I think most teams would have taken a different approach at the auction table if these rules had been put in place a little earlier. Still, everyone is on the same level, and it makes the game more interesting “he said.
