IPL 2018: Young bowler KM Asif excited to be playing under MS Dhoni

Kerala’s young fast bowler KM Asif grabbed a lot of attention whilst playing in the domestic circuit this season with his pace and variety. A testament to his incredible rendition was he winning an IPL contract. What comes as an even more exciting facet for the young bowler is that he will be playing under the legendary MS Dhoni for the Chennai Super Kings.

After noting that CSK is the most popular IPL team in India, he also said it has been his dream to play under the former Indian captain. He also thanked the MRF Pace Foundation for his all-rounder personal nourishment. He’s not the first person to have benefited from the MRF Pace Foundation and certainly, he won’t be the last.

“It has always been my dream to play under M. S. Dhoni. And CSK is perhaps the most popular team in India. I owe much to MRF. I came here last year too and it made me technically, physically and mentally ready for the season,” Asif said as quoted by Sports Star Live.

I’ve been a huge fan of Chiyyan Vikram: Asif

Despite being a Keralite, KM Asif speaks Tamil fluently and that would help him cope with the fans in Chennai. Asif has been a huge fan of South Indian icon Chiyyan Vikram, who rose to fame with some blockbuster films like Aparichit, I etc.

Asif said he grew up watching all these Tamil films, which helped him learn the language. “We all see Tamil movies in Kerala and I am a huge Vikram fan,” he said.

Interestingly, Asif also attended trials for three other franchises, before getting sold for Rs. 40 Lakh for the CSK. The franchises who had invited him for a trial are the Delhi Daredevils, Rajasthan Royals, and the Mumbai Indians. He said Delhi was the team he had preferred because he was a huge fan of Virender Sehwag growing up.

“I had gone for trials for Delhi Daredevils, Rajasthan Royals, and Mumbai Indians. And I bowled well there. I am a bowler but love Virender Sehwag’s batting. I backed Delhi because he used to play for it,” the 24-year-old said.