RCB will be ready whenever the IPL happens: Mike Hesson

Mike Hesson reckons that the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) would be up for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) whenever it takes place. Earlier, Hesson, who’s also a former New Zealand coach, was appointed as RCB’s Director of Cricket Operations. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the popular T20 tournament as well.

RCB’s training camp also had to be cancelled. The IPL was set to take place from March 19 and was postponed to April 15. But after the lockdown was extended to May 3, the IPL had to be deferred for an indefinite period. At the present point in time, there are chances of the event getting cancelled.

Hesson understands the situation the world is going through currently. The coronavirus has affected millions and people are desperately waiting for a vaccine for the ungodly virus.

We’re still really hopeful: Mike Hesson

“We were obviously a week away from coming into camp, like everybody else, feeling well advanced in terms of our planning. Quite rightfully, everything’s been put on hold and everybody is going about their work,” Hesson was quoted as saying in Star Sports’ Show Cricket Connected.

“There are obviously other priorities at the moment that people are focussing on. We’re still really hopeful that things will evolve and there will be an IPL this year and if it happens, then I can assure you that RCB will be ready,” he added.

Hesson recently returned to New Zealand on April 28 after being stranded in India for around a month.  The veteran arrived in India on March 5 in order to get the Challengers geared up for the IPL. However, the lockdown and flight restrictions meant that he had to stay back in India. He was also grateful to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Embassy in India.

As far as the RCB is concerned, they are one of the teams, who are yet to get their hands on the trophy. The team, led by Virat Kohli, has played the final two times in 2009 and 2016 respectively. However, both times they lost to the Hyderabad-based franchise. For the IPL 2020, they secured the services of Aaron Finch and Kane Richardson.