Steyn and I enjoy a healthy competition: Kyle Abbott

Kyle Abbott has become one of South Africa’s more prominent pacers. With the likes of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel not getting any younger, Kagiso Rabada and others entering the squad, Abbot is an integral part of the side. His consistent performances and threat in the death, Abbott became one of the most sought-after pacers in the Indian Premier League auctions in February when Kings XI Punjab paid Rs 2.1 crores for him.

However, despite this, Abbott hasn’t been able to cement a place in the side, with the management preferring Dale Steyn over the 28-year old.

“Steyn and I enjoy a healthy competition. He doesn’t keep me in the comfort zone and that’s what brings the best out of me. This holds true for him also. But it doesn’t mean that we work against each other,” Abbott told TOI.

If irony has a place here, it was Abbott who taught Steyn the art of bowling the slower ball, the cutter that is released with the back of the hand. Therefore, it is not a surprise to see him add yet another delivery to Steyn’s kitty.

“I taught Steyn how to bowl the back-of-the-hand slower ball. He was not getting it right and I worked with him so that he gets the accuracy right. And the best part is he acknowledges the fact that he learnt it from me. He is one of the fast bowling legends but it shows great character to accept that he learnt something from a junior,” said Abbott.

Kyle Abbott also added that he is working with KXIP teammate Mohit Sharma on the similar lines. “Mohit uses his fingers to bowl this version of the slower one. So when I joined KXIP, I started working on it with him,” he said.

The 28-year old also added that the likes of AB de Villiers have helped him in the past.

“You might get away with a bad ball with any other batsman. But with AB, it is impossible. He can hit even a brilliant delivery for a six. He will improvise and play such a shot that will leave you bewildered. So bowling to him at the nets definitely helps me in becoming a better bowler. He also tells me about the areas where I need to bowl, where he finds it difficult to hit. So I try to execute those,” he said.

“If you see, Virat Kohli is constantly evolving and there are a few shots which he needs to perfect. But AB is a complete batsman. He has a 360-degree reach and can hit you anywhere. So he is the hardest to bowl to. Along with Gayle, they make Royal Challengers Bangalore such a powerhouse. It will be a challenge to bowl at them when we face them,” he added.

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