New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson will replace fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile in the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad, the IPL Technical Committee confirmed on Saturday (March 24)
Coulter-Nile, who played a key role in Kolkata Knight Riders’ season last year with 15 wickets from eight games, has been ruled out owing to an injury and has been prescribed ‘ample rest’.
In accordance with the Player Regulations, the Royal Challengers Bangalore were allowed to choose a replacement from the Registered and Available Player Pool (RAPP), and the Bangalore-based franchise subsequently picked the New Zealand all-rounder for his base price of INR 2 Crore, BCCI said in a statement.
RCB, too, issued a statement confirming the news. “Nathan Coulter-Nile is still recovering from a sustained injury and has been prescribed ample rest. He is a player of tremendous talent and owing to his treatment, however, he won’t be able to play during IPL season 11. His absence will be felt greatly both in the team and on the ground. Team RCB wishes Nathan a heartfelt speedy recovery and an early comeback,” Daniel Vettori, RCB head coach, said through the release.
“Replacing him in the squad is the explosive Kiwi all-rounder Corey Anderson. Corey plays a bold game and has incredible potential. We all welcome him to the RCB squad,” Vettori added.
Anderson has earlier been a part of Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils set-up, scoring 521 runs at an average of 27.42 while picking eight wickets from 27 matches. The all-rounder’s limited-overs form has been patchy in recent times, with his performances hitting a low. Since his resounding success in the 2015 World Cup, he has scored just 191 runs from 14 ODIs at 13.64 and picked up 10 wickets at 26.1.
Royal Challengers Bangalore begin their IPL 2018 ampaign with an away game against KKR on April 8.
