Armed with a new captain in Ravichandran Ashwin, and a new look team comprising big hitters like Chris Gayle and Yuvraj Singh, Kings XI Punjab have their sights set on the title in the 2018 season of the VIVO IPL.
Speaking to the media at a team event, Director – Cricket Operations, Virender Sehwag said, “This year we have the best team if I compare the last ten years. We have got a very good (combination) of Indian and foreign players. Hopefully we will do well this year under Brad Hodge’s coaching. He has himself played a lot of T20s so he is (one of the most) experienced here besides Chris Gayle.In 2014 we reached the final but hopefully we will win this year.”
“Come and watch us. I am sure that we will entertain you because we have the kind of players who can hit sixes and fours, they don’t believe in singles,” he added while speaking about his wards.
Speaking about the squad, Sehwag said, “We have got very good players so we will find it difficult to select the playing XI. Everybody deserves to be in the playing XI, but unfortunately only eleven can play. It is important to pick the right eleven against an opposition. I have played with some of theses players and know their capabilities. They have the talent and they can deliver that. But in sport it depends on the day. In case we have eight good days then we can win at least eight games and qualify for the play-offs.”
Sehwag and Hodge both felt that Ashwin’s leadership would make a difference to KXIP. “I think he (Ashwin)is a very smart cricketer. I know the kind of mindset that he has so he is the right choice to captain Kings XI Punjab. I am a complete fan of having a bowling captain. I watched Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis… they led their teams to so many wins.Hopefully Ashwin can do that for us.”
“I think that the leadership skills of Ashwin will bring a difference to Kings XI,” Hodge stated while adding, “His engagement with the players has been outstanding since his arrival. He wants to make a difference, he wants to make a statement for Kings XI and that was the reasoning behind the leadership choice. We want everyone to be part of this organization post this year, five-ten years down the track. I think Ashwin’s is going to be that leadership that’s building (the team) and which will give everyone courage on the field. He is an aggressive cricketer and that’s also (a factor) (…) he will bring about a certain change in this franchise for sure.”
An upbeat KXIP team is gearing up for the challenges of the 2018 season. Senior campaigner Chris Gayle also echoed Sehwag’s thoughts on the team and the team's approach.
Speaking about his inclusion in the team and the role he was expected to play, the Jamaican said, “I know it is a last minute thing to being selected. I bring a lot of experience to this team and I can guarantee, like coach and Viru (Virender Sehwag) pointed out, it will be a lot of entertaining cricket out there.I am looking forward to playing and taking things ahead with these younger players and represent like a true King should.”
- Asked if the last minute inclusion in the IPL hurt and how it will translate for the team, Gayle said, “Well I hope I hurt the bowlers. As I mentioned before it is a lot of experience and hopefully the guys can feed off that as well. It is not going to be about Chris Gayle; it is going to be about team effort. Everybody has a role to play in the team.”
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