Mike Hesson says Royal Challengers Bangalore will need to be less reliant on their superstar names if they are to shake off years of underachievement at the IPL.
Since they were runners up in 2016, RCB have finished last twice in the competition. On the other occasion, they were third last.
That woeful form has come despite the fact they have had all-time great players, such as captain Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers within their ranks.
The franchise have added more stardust ahead of this campaign in the UAE, with Dale Steyn re-joining, and his fellow South African quick Chris Morris arriving on a big-money deal.
Australia’s captain Aaron Finch and England’s Moeen Ali, who are currently involved in a series against each other in the UK, are also part of the squad.
However, Hesson, RCB’s director of cricket operations, says turning around the sides fortunes will require a squad effort, not just that of a few household names.
“We spent a long time in review after last year, leading up to the auction, looking at where we were strong, where we needed to retain, and what gaps we needed to fill,” Hesson told RCB’s social media channel.
“We spent a huge amount of time identifying who those players were, and more importantly what the roles were.
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Mumbai Indians' recreation centre
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“There has been a lot of talk over finishing the innings with the ball in the past. We have some really good experienced players in that space.
“We also feel like we can improve on the players we have already had as well. They are a year wiser and a year smarter.
“Also, bowling at the death at Abu Dhabi will be very different to what it was at [RCB’s home ground, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium].
“You certainly won’t hear us talking about one or two players in particular. For us to perform as a team, we are going to rely on the squad.”
For his part, Kohli had said that he has “never felt so calm going into a season before,” and that he feels “in a much better space, much more balanced, when it comes to environment of IPL.”
That calmness might have been inspired by the move to the UAE, and even the indirect consequences of bio-securing the tournament.
That includes the social distancing measures which are in place, both within normal life at present, but especially in the secure bubbles in which the team’s are forced to inhabit at the moment.
It would be understandable that such conditions might appeal to somebody of Kohli’s level of celebrity.
That is not the only aspect about a season in exile in the UAE which might work in RCB’s favour, according to Hesson.
He suggests the team, who start their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday, September 21 at Dubai International Stadium, have an attack that is well appointed for the conditions.
“For Abu Dhabi, I think the seamers have played a big role there,” Hesson said.
“It is a bigger ground, so spinners come into the equation, but it probably doesn’t spin as much as the other two.
“Sharjah skids and can spin as well. We have loads of information on all these grounds, but we also need to have that ability to adjust to conditions on the day as well.
“[Spin] will play a part, but obviously [RCB’s home ground] Chinnaswamy Stadium is different as well. That is a nice batting wicket which skids on, and has smaller boundaries and higher scores.
“Over here, I think there will be some games where 150-160 will be a good score, and all three will be slightly different.”
The IPL season starts on Saturday, September 19, when Mumbai Indians face Chennai Super Kings at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Sixty matches will be played across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, with the season culminating in the final – the venue for which has yet to be announced – on November 10.
Step by step
2070km to run
38 days
273,600 calories consumed
28kg of fruit
40kg of vegetables
45 pairs of running shoes
1 yoga matt
1 oxygen chamber
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 (PA) | US$95,000 | (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Meydan Classic Listed (TB) ) | $175,000) | (Turf) 1,600m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) ) | $135,000 ) | (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy Group 3 (TB) ) | $300,000) | (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Curlin Handicap Listed (TB)) | $160,000) | (D) 2,000m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB)) | $175,000) | (T) 1,400m
10pm: Handicap (TB) ) | $135,000 ) | (T) 2,000m
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
Afghanistan fixtures
- v Australia, today
- v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
- v New Zealand, Saturday,
- v South Africa, June 15
- v England, June 18
- v India, June 22
- v Bangladesh, June 24
- v Pakistan, June 29
- v West Indies, July 4
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Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Osasuna 1 Real Madrid 4
Osasuna: García (14')
Real Madrid: Isco (33'), Ramos (38'), Vázquez (84'), Jovic (90' 2)
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
More on Quran memorisation:
MATCH INFO
FA Cup final
Chelsea 1
Hazard (22' pen)
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
Second Test
In Dubai
Pakistan 418-5 (declared)
New Zealand 90 and 131-2 (follow on)
Day 3: New Zealand trail by 197 runs with 8 wickets remaining
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
CABINET%20OF%20CURIOSITIES%20EPISODE%201%3A%20LOT%2036
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Wonka
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: N2 Technology
Founded: 2018
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Startups
Size: 14
Funding: $1.7m from HNIs
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
