RCB announces 40-member contingent for IPL 2020

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is all geared up for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. The team is ready to fly to UAE on 21st August with a total of 40-member contingent. The franchise is one of the most popular IPL teams with star players being a part of it. The team is led by Virat Kohli and also features ‘Mr 360 degree’, AB de Villiers.

The franchise announced a list of a 40-member group which includes 21 players, two throw down specialists, five net bowlers and two personnel. The psychologist Chaitanya Sridhar and team doctor Charles Minz who have been looking after players’ mental health since March also featured in the list.

The team will be based in the Waldorf hotel in Dubai for the entire duration of the tournament. An entire block has been booked for the team, informed RCB chairman Sanjeev Churiwala.

“We wanted an exclusive facility in the center so the players have short travel time (between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah) and there is 100 per cent compliance of the bio-bubble. We have booked the entire block which has 155 rooms with exclusive facilities like team rooms, gym and dining. All the hotel staff will also be tested to ensure more safety,” added Churiwala, as reported by Inside Sport.

Most of the players are not travelling with families: RCB Chairman

The call of travelling with family totally depends on the players. As per the SOPs set by BCCI, the family has to stay in the bio bubble if travelling with the cricketers. Considering the situation, not many RCB players are travelling with their families this year.

“It is a personal choice of the players but as far as I know, most of the players are not travelling with families. If they do, they will strictly have to follow the BCCI SOPs,” Churiwala added.

The SOPs and protocols set by BCCI are very strict. The players, families and all the support staff have to adhere to the instructions very rigidly. Also, after the South African players got the much-needed permission to travel to UAE for the event, AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, Christ Morris are all set to travel to reach the middle east country on 22nd August. This gives a much-needed boost to the Bangalore franchise who are yet to win an IPL title.