Mike Hesson, the director of cricket for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), provided information regarding the injury suffered by Reece Topley during the team’s first match of the IPL 2023 season against the Mumbai Indians (MI) on Sunday, April 2nd. Topley, the English fast bowler, had an unfortunate streak with injuries as he seemed to dislocate his shoulder while fielding in the first innings at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Despite the injury, Topley made a notable contribution to the game, taking a wicket in his debut match and displaying excellent fielding skills by diving and saving runs for his team.
Unfortunately, Reece Topley had to exit the match after a dive due to the injury sustained, and had to be taken off the field by the medical team. Hesson, confirming the situation, said on RCB Game Day that Topley had been sent for scans to evaluate the shoulder dislocation.
After a plunge that left Reece Topley’s participation in the match at an end, the medical staff had to remove him from the field.
Hesson on Reece Topley’s Injury
Confirming the diagnosis of a shoulder dislocation for Topley, Hesson said on RCB Game Day:
“Unfortunately, Topley’s knee dug into the ground and then he obviously landed on his shoulder and dislocated it. It was lucky enough that we were able to pop it back in.”
“He is off having a scan at the moment. When it happens it is not a good thing, so we hope that the initial reports come back nicely and Reece can join us. If not, then obviously we will have to see what happens.” He continued.
Topley missed an opportunity to compete in the T20 World Cup 2022 as well due to an unfortunate injury. He accidently slipped on the boundary sponge at the Gabba while gearing up for the tournament which caused him to twist his ankle. He was again roped in by RCB at the IPL 2023 mini-auction and given the chance to take Hazlewood’s place in the playing XI.
Mike Hesson praises RCB’s performance in IPL 2023 match against MI: “Exceptional batting and holding it together nicely with the ball.”
RCB began their campaign with a comprehensive all-round performance. The pacers did a fantastic job, reducing MI to 20-3 in the powerplay, and the batsmen comfortably chased down the target of 172 runs to mark their homecoming in style.
Hesson was full of praise for the team’s performance across all three departments, highlighting their exceptional intensity in the field and with the ball. He said,
“Look, it does not get much better than that, so the intensity we brought with the field, and with the ball was exceptional, and on a very good surface. The fact that we took early wickets in the powerplay is obviously something that we wanted to do from last year and then I thought we held it together nicely with the ball and then the batting was exceptional too.”
RCB’s next match is against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their first away contest of the season, which is scheduled for Thursday, April 6th.