IPL 10: KKR Vice Captain Suryakumar Yadav eager to win third title

The Kolkata Knight Riders will be looking to create history in the tenth edition, by becoming the first outfit to claim 3 IPL titles. KKR didn’t enjoy success in the first four editions of the cash-rich league, until Gautam Gambhir became the team’s captain and guided it to two titles, in 2012 and 2014 respectively. KKR vice-captain Suryakumar Yadav said that the two-time champions will go all out this time to add a third star on their jersey by bringing the third trophy home.

In case you didn’t know, teams have stars printed on top of their badge to show the number of titles they have won. KKR lost to champions Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eliminator last year by 22 runs.

Yadav, who managed just eight runs in that game in which KKR had to chase 162, spoke to media earlier today.

“There is not point thinking about last year. We have moved on and are thinking about this season,” Yadav, who played a match-winning knock of 60 against Rising Pune Supergiant in the last edition, told reporters on the sidelines of a city jewellery company’s tie-up with the purple brigade.

“We have two stars on our shirt and hopefully will add a third giving you all reason to celebrate,” the 26-year-old Mumbai lad added.

Meanwhile Darren Bravo, who triggered an injury scare while training with the team, said that it’s a feeling of homecoming for him as he plays for the same franchise in the Caribbean Premier League, the Trinbago Knight Riders.

“By all means, the IPL is the No.1 T20 competition in the world. I think I am very privileged to be part of the KKR team. KKR is the owner of CPL team (Trinbago Knight Riders), so for me its like a family and coming back home,” the left-hander who is making a debut in the cash-rich league, said.

Another players present during the media-talk were Yusuf Pathan, Chris Lynn, and Manish Pandey. Pandey said batting at No.3 for KKR, he will have to shoulder a lot of responsibility.

Pandey last played for India in the second T20 international against England on January 29.