Bengaluru: With the T-20 qualifiers for RCB CCC 2015 concluding on the 22nd of November, 2015, the four semi-finalists: FlipKart, Accenture, HCL and VM Ware take centre stage at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, the 29th of November, 2015 to compete for the T-20 trophy and the chance to become champions of RCB CCC 2015.
Following precedent from the previous two editions, two RCB stars will be present during the semi-finals and will be made available to all four teams as 'Super Subs' in both the batting and fielding innings. Each 'Super Sub' can be used for a maximum of 1 over (6 balls) either as a bowler, fielder or batsman. The previous editions saw Yuvraj Singh as a 'Super Mentor'and Ashok Dinda as the 'Super Sub' in 2014, while Parthiv Patel and Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan took the field in 2013. This season, the 'Super Subs' will have two time IPL champion and wicketkeeper Manvinder Bisla and left arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla.
Having joined RCB in the 2015 IPL season, Bisla is looking forward to a different experience at the Chinnaswamy through the RCB CCC 2015. "It is always exciting to play with a new set of people and in this set-up, there will always be a new captain and new teammates with whom I'll be playing. Being an opener and wicketkeeper, I do have an advantage in being chosen for a crucial moment in the match. That being said, I've also been keeping an eye on the qualifiers and will definitely be eager to help out any of the teams when I am asked to come on. The community connect between the team and the city is very important and I am proud to be a part of this initiative that promotes playing cricket for a healthier lifestyle through the tournament."
Another player who joined the red and gold ranks in 2015 is Iqbal Abdulla who echoes his teammate's thoughts. "This experience of coming on for a team during the T-20 semi-finals and finals of the RCB CCC 2015 will be unique for me as a player. It is an innovative way to engage with the RCB fans through playing with them on the same field. The fans are the most important part of the RCB family and spending time with them through RCB CCC 2015 will only make that relationship stronger."
Speaking about the larger picture and how the corporate tournament helps to grow RCB as a brand, Russell Adams, Vice-President, Commercial Operations and Cricket Academy, Royal Challengers Bangalore, said, "This is a wonderful time in the championship for us at RCB as we are able to see how our fans respond to our RCB 'Super Subs'. With players of such quality being available to participate and engage with the corporate community of Bangalore over the past 3 years, we are excited at the events that will unfold on Sunday. We always pride ourselves on doing things differently at RCB and the concept of 'Super Subs' is just another idea that has come to fruition. The finale of RCB CCC 2015 promises to be entertaining for our fans and the corporate participants not just because of the presence of our 'Super Subs' but also because of the quality of cricket that will be on display at the Chinnaswamy."
