IPL 2019: KXIP coach Mike Hesson assures Mohammad Shami will get enough rest

Kings XI Punjab had a terrific start to their IPL 2018 season with five wins in the first six matches under the new captain Ravi Ashwin. Chris Gayle came good for them hitting a brilliant century against Chennai Super Kings and also scoring three fifties. However, their performances diluted in the second half of the tournament and they failed to make it in the final four.

This time around, the KXIP management made some big changes including letting mentor Virender Sehwag go and also replacing coach Brad Hodge with former New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson. The franchise also signed up the in-form India fast bowler Mohammad Shami.

Shami, whose IPL 2018 for the Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) was hampered by his off-field issues, is raring to perform well for the Punjab based franchise. He is also one of the contenders for the India squad for the upcoming World Cup and there have been talks of managing the workload of the players during the tournament.

Hesson speaks about Shami’s workload management

“It is going to be on a case by case basis. I have had chats with KL Rahul and Mohammed Shami. They are keen to make a big contribution for KXIP and we are certainly very keen to have them. We will manage them like every player throughout the tournament,” KXIP head coach Hesson was quoted as saying by Sportstar.

Hesson, however, also cleared that he still doesn’t have an idea about the number of matches India’s World Cup-bound players will be rested for. “If they feel little jaded during the course of the IPL, we will rest them. We also have to see how the season goes for the team but they both are very keen to make a big contribution,” he further added.

The Kings XI Punjab will play their first match in IPL 2019 against Rajasthan Royals on March 25 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

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