KKR have the right ammunition in the bowling department: Yusuf Pathan

KKR all-rounder Yusuf Pathan was confident of his side’s chances in the forthcoming IPL, highlighting that their strength lies in their bowling which has a lot of variety. The all-rounder will play his seventh season in a KKR jersey this year.

KKR’s has always been a good bowling side and the addition of the likes of Chris Woakes and Trent Boult has further strengthened their bowling attack. The fast bowling department also boosts of the in-form Umesh Yadav and the Australian fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile in their ranks. With the presence of Sunil Narine, Shakib-Al-Hasan, Kuldeep Yadav, Piyush Chawla and Pathan himself, KKR’s spin department also looks outstanding with all possible variety available at their dispense.

“We have quality bowlers in this team this time. We were lacking good bowling options previously. But this time we have a lot of variety, not only in bowling but in all departments,” Pathan told reporters.

When a team has so many resources at hand, competition gets very tough for the limited spots – something which Yusuf termed as healthy. “This year we have batting all-rounders, spinning all-rounders, fast bowling all-rounders. So when you have such players in the side adding so much variety, the competition for first XI is high and it is very healthy,” the 34-year-old Pathan said.

Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav had a memorable Test debut recently against Australia, where he returned with 4/68 in the first innings of the Dharamsala Test and Pathan felt that the 22-year old has a bright future ahead. “He made a great debut. He has a bright future. I think we will do very well with him and also with Umesh (Yadav) as he too has bowled superbly for India. It will be beneficial for team.”

KKR will be missing their premier all-rounder – Andre Russell, who was banned till January next year, when he failed to clear a doping test. Pathan said that it is tough to lose someone of Russell’s stature but KKR will have to move on. “We are not on the backfoot (as Russell is not playing). Russell was an important cog in our wheel not only on field, but in the dressing room also. He is a great character to have. There are situations when players miss out. He will be missed in the dressing room. But we have to look ahead and work with what we have.”

England all-rounder Chris Woakes, who joined the rest of the squad yesterday, will be a crucial member for KKR’s campaign. Woakes can fill in the void left by Russell’s absence as he can be very handy with the bat as his strike-rate in T20 cricket (138.39) reflects.

“Obviously, the team has been strengthened. The team will be balanced more with him in our ranks as he bowls and bats also.” Pathan, a veteran of 79 international games said.

Two-time IPL winners KKR will start their campaign on Friday when they face last year’s table toppers Gujarat Lions at Rajkot.