The IPL is the right kind of tournament that allows players to get into the rhythm in a pleasant way, an absolute must before hitting the Australian shores for two and a half months, feels Indian team top sprinter Mohammed Shami.
Players from India bound for Australia will fly directly after the IPL concludes on November 10 for the long-awaited tour that will likely begin with a T20 series followed by four tests and ODI.
“It would be great if the Australian-bound players are playing IPL. By then he will set the body and momentum perfectly, ”the Kings XI spearhead told PTI in an exclusive interaction.
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India with Virat Kohli achieved the historic feat of winning Australia for the first time in 2018-19, but the hosts were without Steve Smith and David Warner back then due to their involvement in the ball manipulation scandal.
The duo’s presence would make the series even more exciting and Shami said everyone is focused on the tour as well.
“I feel like we better be playing IPL before a big series. Apart from IPL, everyone is also focused on that tour (Down Under). There is a lot of talk about that series. We will have a good contest ”.
With the IPL moved to the United Arab Emirates, the tournament will be held at three venues in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, and will comprise 60 matches spread over 53 days.
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Shami feels different in India, where they have to fly across the country for away games, the IPL in UAE would be less hectic this time.
“Yes, there are consecutive games, training, traveling, that’s a bit of a headache. But it is short format, short matches, physically there should be no workload problem. This time, there won’t be many trips. You will have to travel about two hours by bus (when there is a match in Abu Dhabi) ”.
With R Ashwin joining Delhi Capitals, responsibility for the Kings XI bowling will be taken over by the experienced Indian pacemaker and Shami said he is up to the challenge and would look to take key wards from his opponents.
“I always try to face the role and give my 100 percent. I’ll bowling depending on the situation … “Obviously, being the strike shooter, it is important to take the key fields, that gives a great relief to the team”, the experienced professional, with 49 tests, 77 ODI and 11 T20I under his belt, he said.
This time, Kings XI appointed Anil Kumble as director of cricket operations as the former head coach of India.
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“I have a great bond with him. It is very important to have a good bond with the coach, you can explain things clearly and it is about having a clear understanding ”.
When asked about spin legend Shane Warne’s suggestion to give a bowler a maximum of five overs at T20 instead of the current four, the veteran pacemaker did not endorse the idea.
“We are used to the current set of rules. I don’t think it makes any difference. The format is always compared to the bowlers. ”
KXIP has underperformed perennially and except for two seasons, 2008 and 2014, they have failed to make the playoffs and finished three times (2010, 2015 and 2016).
However, Shami said that any team should discard KXIP at their own risk.
“You cannot underestimate any team in this format. It has been our bad luck that we have not yet been able to lift the trophy. We got off to a great start last season. The T20 format is all about execution. Our stroke of luck can change at any time. ”
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