The Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Monday released the Sri Lankan duo of all-rounders Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera from the team’s bio-bubble.
After being released, both Hasaranga and Chameera will join their national squad ahead of its Round 1 matches in the men’s T20 World Cup, starting from October 17.
The development also means that Hasaranga and Chameera will not be available for selection in Monday’s Eliminator match against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Sharjah.
“Wanindu Hasaranga & Dushmantha Chameera have been released from the RCB bio bubble as they join up with the SL team for their #WT20 qualifiers. We wish both of them the best & thank them for their professionalism & hard work during #IPL2021,” said a tweet by the franchise on Monday.
Earlier, the Lankan duo of Hasaranga and Chameera were signed in as replacement players ahead of the second half of IPL 2021 in place of Australian duo Adam Zampa and Daniel Sams.
While, Hasaranga played two matches for the franchise but ended up with no wickets and could only manage one run with the bat, Chameera didn’t played a signle game for the RCB in the league stage.
Earlier on Sunday, Hasaranga had thanked the franchise for handing him the experience of playing in the IPL.
“Here’s saying a heartfelt thank you and wishing my family/team mates at @royalchallengersbangalore all the best for the playoffs. This is probably the year we win it all. This experience has been amazing, from team to management to everything. There is a strong bond of brotherhood and friendship we share here. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity. Go well RCB,” wrote Hasaranga on his Instagram account.
Hasaranga’s teammate in Bangalore, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal commented on the post, saying ‘Good luck brotherman.’
In the upcoming T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka, the 2014 champions, are part of Group A alongside Namibia, the Netherlands and Ireland in Round 1 and will begin their campaign against Namibia on October 18 in Abu Dhabi.
The Kohli-led RCB had finished the IPL 2021 league stage at the third place after bagging 18 points in their kitty from 14 games.
Of the 14 games, the Bangalore-based franchise won nine games and lost five to finish a place ahaead of KKR.
KKR, on the other hand, had 14 points after the completion of the league stage as it had won seven games while lost the remaining seven.
While the RCB is yet to lift the coveted trophy, KKR had won the IPL twice in 2012 and 2014.
Both the sides will clash for one final time in the ongoing season in Sharjah on Monday evening. While the winner of the contest will move a step ahead towards the final, the loser will be eliminated from the tournament.
Monday’s winner will next face last year’s runners-up Delhi Capitals, which had gone down to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the first Qualifier on Sunday, at the Dubai International Cricket stadium in Dubai on Wednesday.