South African Wayne Parnell is reportedly going to join the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season.
Parnell, a left-arm fast bowler, will return to the cash-rich league after playing for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2014, against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede.
According to ESPN Cricinfo report, Parnell has been signed as a replacement for the injured Reece Topley, who had dislocated his shoulder while bowling against Mumbai Indians. The England pacer had bowled two overs against the five-time champs, picking a crucial wicket off Cameron Green.
Meanwhile, RCB’s batting coach Sanjay Bangar confirmed Topley’s exit while speaking to Star Sports during the match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens on Thursday.
“Reece, unfortunately, had to go back home because he has been ruled out of the tournament,” Bangar said.
“We tried our best to keep him here, but the treatment and the experts suggest that he is going to be out of action for some time. Hasaranga will arrive for us on the 10th, so depending on the time of his arrival and how he copes with the long flight from New Zealand is something we’ll have to think about,” he added
Notably, Topley was signed by RCB for an amount of Rs 1.9 crore. The England pacer returned with figures of 2-0-14-1 before sustaining a shoulder injury against the five-time IPL champions in RCB’s campaign opener last week.
RCB will be Parnell’s third franchise in the tournament as he had earlier represented Delhi Daredevils and now-defunct Pune Warriors India in the past.
Parnell has featured in 26 IPL games, picked up as many wickets, averaging around 27 and best bowling figures are 3/27.
Parnell has represented South Africa in 56 T20Is, scalping 59 wickets at an average of 25.64.