IPL 2021: RCB sign three massive replacements including Sri Lanka's star leg-spinner, Katich steps down as head coach

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have signed three new players for the rest of the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). RCB on Saturday confirmed that Finn Allen, Adam Zampa, and Daniel Sams will all be unavailable for the second phase of the 14th edition.

In place of these players, RCB have gone with Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, pacer Dushmantha Chameera and Australia's Singapore-born all-rounder Tim David.

We are glad to have you among us, Tim.#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2021 #NowAChallenger pic.twitter.com/1GJaxdzDmV

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) August 21, 2021

Can’t wait to see you in the Red and Gold! #PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2021 #NowAChallenger pic.twitter.com/gFPqM7voky

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) August 21, 2021

Hasaranga, who was the Player of the series against India in the T20I format recently has grabbed eyeballs with his all-round game and could be an important part of RCB's journey in the second half of the IPL.

Another important development in the RCB camp was that head coach Simon Katich won't be part of the second phase of the 14th edition due to personal reasons and RCB's Director of Cricket Operations, Mike Hesson will double-up as the head coach as well.

 ANNOUNCEMENT @CoachHesson takes over as head coach for the remainder of #IPL2021 after Simon Katich made himself unavailable due to personal reasons. #PlayBold #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/MQ8ErjqMZI

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) August 21, 2021

Speaking about the new signings and specifically about the leggie Hasaranga, Hesson said, "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. The addition of Wanindu Hasaranga, Tim David and Dushmantha Chameera couldn’t have come at a better time in the replacement window, as we aim to continue with the momentum, building on our performance from earlier this year.”

"We have an extensive scouting program, Wanindu has been on our radar for a long time. We aren't surprised by his success in recent times, he has been doing it for a while. We like his skill set. We like the fact that he is a multi-skill cricketer, so he offers us the ability to bat a little bit deeper as well. That gives us a lot of exciting options," Hesson said in a virtual press meet.

Hesson also confirmed that Kane Richardson and Scott Kuggeleijn will be unavailable too and they will announce the eighth overseas player in coming days.

Hasaranga was the Player of the Series in the recently concluded #SLvIND T20I series taking 7 wickets in 3 matches at an economy rate of 5.58.#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2021 #NowAChallenger pic.twitter.com/N6eggNkQ0B

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) August 21, 2021

RCB were one of the top sides in the competition along with the likes of Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals, as they won five out of the seven games they had played and were placed third in the points table.

The RCB contingent is set to leave for the UAE on August 29 after they complete a mandatory seven-day quarantine in Bengaluru, for which they assembled in the city on Saturday, August 21.