RCB recruit Scott Kuggeleijn as replacement for Kane Richardson

The New Zealand allrounder had been with the Mumbai Indians as a reserve bowler

Scott Kuggeleijn, the New Zealand fast-bowling allrounder, has been recruited by the Royal Challengers Bangalore as replacement for Kane Richardson, the Australian fast bowler who left for home along with Adam Zampa on Monday. Kuggeleijn was part of the Mumbai Indians’ reserves till Tuesday.

Keeping in mind the travel restrictions during the pandemic, the IPL has allowed teams to release their reserve players as required. With Richardson’s exit, the Royal Challengers were left with three overseas fast-bowling options in their ranks, Kyle Jamieson and Australian allrounders Daniel Sams and Dan Christian.

On Monday, Richardson and Zampa opted to return home from the IPL, with the Royal Challengers putting their decision down to “personal reasons”. They joined fellow Australian Andrew Tye and Liam Livingstone of England, both of the Rajasthan Royals, and the Delhi Capitals’ R Ashwin to leave their respective biosecure bubbles for one reason or another even as anxiety around the worsening Covid-19 situation has increased.

With the IPL being played in a biosecure environment because of the pandemic, all teams have been carrying several reserve players, including overseas fast bowlers who could serve as back-ups in case of an emergency situation or injuries.

This is the second time Kuggeleijn has been part of an IPL team, both times as a replacement player: in 2019, he had played two matches for the Chennai Super Kings after coming in as an injury replacement for South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi.