We have a lot of firepower in our batting line-up, says KXIP bowling coach Ryan Harris

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) started with a lot of hope last season but like the infamous hare competition with the tortoise, failed to reach the finishing line on time and were not in the top four qualifying for playoffs. Ravi Ashwin’s side is looking for a fresh start again this year and its bowling coach, Ryan Harris, believes that the team’s batting has the firepower to deliver for it in the latest edition starting Saturday.

Punjab will be playing their first game against the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on March 25. The team has some exciting batting and all-round talents in its ranks who can help it better its best performance in the IPL so far – finishing as the finalists in the 2014 edition when they lost the final to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

“It’s quite good. We had a couple of practice games and the team is looking in shape. The squad is slowly coming together and though we are missing some of the guys – a couple in Australia and David Miller for South Africa – because of their different commitments, it is looking good for us so far,” the 39-year-old former Australia pacer said in an interview to Hindustan Times.

“I think it is going to be somewhat similar. We have a good bowling attack but our batting is looking great with Mayank (Agarwal), KL (Rahul) and (Chris) Gayle. We have a lot of firepower at the top of the batting order. But bowling will also be good with Ankit Rajpoot looking in good shape,” he further added.

CSK tough team to beat

Ryan Harris, who played 27 Tests for Australia between 2010 and 2015, has 161 international wickets. He also felt that reigning champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are the favourites to win this season as well. He also cautioned his team to be consistent and confident this time around to avoid the same consequence they faced last year. He said that the team needs to learn from defeats they face in the tournament and focus on the next games.

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