IPL 2020: RCB draft UAE captain Ahmed Raza on board for assistance in training

With only two days remaining to kick start the tournament, the preparations ahead of the Indian Premier League are going in full swing. Royal Challengers Bangalore recently bagged in UAE captain Ahmed Raza and young teenage talent Karthik Meiyappan to train alongside the team during the stint of IPL. The extravaganza unfolds on September 19, where the season opener will see two giants Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, walking up to set the field on fire.

The national newspaper of UAE stated that Raza is done with his mandatory quarantine in the team hotel and has begun the training camp with Virat Kohli and his men. Left-arm spinner Raza could walk into the RCB squad after being recommended by their bowling head Sridharan Sriram. Even he took favours from the spinner as a consultant when the Australian team played on the UAE soil.

“I was introduced to the players and support staff, and it was really nice for Sri (Sriram) to put in that word for me. He introduced me as the UAE captain. And can you imagine AB walking up to you and saying: Thank you for helping us out.’ Seriously, it was surreal,” Raza said as quoted by The Indian Express.

This hotel is great, RCB have a fantastic team room: Ahmed Raza

Raza has been plying his trade for the national side for 14 years now, and he was asked about his experience of staying in a bio-secure bubble. The 31-year-old said it’s a great feeling and the hotel and rooms of the team are too good. It does feel a bit strange in this bubble, but credit to the IPL and RCB team for managing it smoothly.

“It does feel slightly strange being in this bio-secure bubble, but credit to the IPL and RCB. This hotel is great, they have a fantastic team room, and when we have a private area of beach access as well. And then it was great to be involved in my first training session at the ICC Academy as well, as it felt like going back home,” concluded Raza.

19-year-old Meiyappan, who has also been drafted by RCB for training, has played 4 ODIs for Emirates.