IPL 2021: Skill Sets Of Wanidu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera Will Be Of Huge Help To Us - RCB Captain Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper, said that Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera, the two replacements, are going to add a “new dimension” to his side during the second half of the IPL 2021, which begins Sunday.

The two Sri Lankan players were roped in by the franchise after Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson pulled out. Both the cricketers were largely impressive in the home series against India in July.

Virat Kohli, who will be stepping down from India’s T20I captaincy post the T20 World Cup, acknowledged that the pair have the skill set require to succeed in the UAE conditions.

“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,” Virat Kohli said at the unveiling of the team’s blue jersey.

“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. Wanidu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera have played so much cricket in Sri Lanka and know how to play in pitches like these. Their 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,” he added.

We will start with the same passion and commitment: Virat Kohli

RCB currently sit at the third position in the points table, having won 5 out of 7 matches in the first chunk of the tournament, and are likely to qualify for the playoffs.

Virat Kohli, though, asserted that the team will not take any match for granted and play each encounter with the same intensity as they did earlier.

“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,” the RCB skipper stated.

RCB will face Eoin Morgan’s Kolkata Knight Riders on September 20 in Abu Dhabi to resume their season as they resume their chase to a maiden IPL title.

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