IPL 2021 | Simon Katich leaves RCB, Mike Hesson to take dual responsibility

Former Australian cricketer Simon Katich has resigned from his post as the coach of the Royal Challengers Bangalore citing personal reasons. He will not take part in the second part of the tournament scheduled to start on September 19 in the UAE and Mike Hesson will take over the position of the head coach as well besides being the Director of Cricket at the franchise.

Katich was appointed as the head coach in August 2019 and he had also taken part in the auction for the 2020 auction held in December 2019. He was with the Royal Challengers in the last edition of the tournament where the Virat Kohli-led side had performed reasonably well to reach the playoffs.

The Royal Challengers have also roped in Sri Lanka all-rounder Wanindu Hassaranga, whose stocks as a leg spinner has gone up several notches after successful white-ball series against India earlier this year.

The side have made a couple of more changes by replacing New Zealander Fin Allen with Singaporean Tim David, and Australian Daniel Sams with Sri Lankan Dushmantha Chameera, whose raw pace and ability to extract bounce off the surface impressed many in the series against India.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore will restart their IPL 2021 campaign with the clash against the Kolkata Knight Riders on September 20 in Abu Dhabi.