The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) got off to a flying start in their Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign opener after they beat Mumbai Indians (MI) by eight wickets with 22 balls to spare.
However, they were soon grounded by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a spinner-friendly Eden Gardens pitch as they lost the game by 81 runs.
Karn Sharma picked up two important wickets of Andre Russell and Rahmanullah Gurbaz and skipper Faf du Plessis was clearly missing another experienced spinner. This gap could have been filled by Sri Lankan international Wanindu Hasaranga but he is yet to join the squad.
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When will Hasaranga join RCB?
Hasaranga, who made his IPL debut in 2021, was on international duty with the Sri Lankan national team in New Zealand. He was part of the ODI & T20 squad and was released after the final T20i in Queenstown on Friday.
He is likely to be available for RCB's next game against Lucknow Super Giants in Bengaluru on April 10. However, after a long-flight journey from Auckland, he might be rested in that match to fully recover.
In that case, he will be available from the fourth match onwards against Delhi Capital on April 15.
"Hasaranga will arrive for us on the 10th, depending on the time of arrival, and how he copes with the long flight from New Zealand. We will see how it comes," coach Sanjay Bangar told broadcaster Star Sports.
Hasaranga has 26 wickets to his name in 18 matches at an average of 18.85, an economy rate of 7.75 and a strike rate of 14.54.
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What next for Royal Challengers Bangalore?
RCB will be in action against Lucknow Super Giants on April 10 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
