RCB, Royal Challengers Bangalore, IPL 2020
RCB team. Image Credit: Twitter.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) players leave for the UAE, to get back into action for the upcoming 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) scheduled from 19th September. The franchise shared the pictures, on their official social media handle, where all the players can be seen wearing mask and face shields which makes hard for fans to recognise a particular player.

Thus, it was also hard to ensure that RCB captain — Virat Kohli is along with teammates in flight.

In the picture shared by RCB, their premier spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, pacer Umesh Yadav, the allrounder Shivam Dube and Parthiv Patel can be easily spotted.

Spotting Virat Kohli?

However, other players were difficult to name. RCB staff members also boarded on the same flight. RCB captioned the post “UAE calling. The Royal Challengers are all set to take-off!!”

As Virat Kohli could not be spotted in the picture, some fans said that the skipper might be coming in a private jet.

RCB overseas player will join later:

RCB
AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli. Image Credit: BCCI/IPL.

South Africa players AB de Villiers Chris Morris and Dale Steyn who are lynchpins for RCB. They will join the team in the UAE on August 22. The only Sri Lankan player Isuru Udana, bought in IPL 2020 auction, will land on 1st September.

On the other hand, RCB’s England and Australian player, who will be busy playing the bilateral series until 16 September, will land the UAE on 17th September. 

All the players after arriving UAE will have to test for COVID-19 following which they would go under quarantine periods.

But, as per RCB chairman, the England and Australian who are contractually bound with the franchise might not have to go under the mandatory quarantine period in the UAE because they would already come through a controlled environment. 

Among Australian players, RCB has their white-ball captain Aaron Finch, pacer Kane Richardson and Josh Philippe. The allrounder Moeen Ali is the only England player in RCB’s squad.

These players will feature in the three-match T20I series followed by the ODI series which is scheduled to start from 4th September in England.

Meanwhile, KXIP, KKR and RR have reached in the UAE on Thursday (20th August).