VETERAN KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS batsman Yusuf Pathan has reckoned that the team management is going to have a tough time forming a playing 11 for the upcoming IPL 10 games.
Yusuf believes that along with a lot of variety in bowling, his side also has a great depth in batting. As reported by Cricketcountry, the Gujarat-lad said,
“It will be a tough selection. We have a lot of variety in our bowling. There’s depth in batting, we have a lot of all-rounders. We will see how we combine as a team.”
The Kolkata franchise is set to miss out on the services of West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell because of an anti-dope code violation. However, Yusuf is confident that the star all-rounder’s absence will not put the team on the back foot.
“This (Russell’s absence) does not put us on the back foot. He has done well for the team. He brings an air of positivity to the changing room. We will definitely miss him. But there are other players, who will have to live up to the challenge. We are focussed on that.”
KKR will begin their campaign with two away games beginning with Gujarat Lions in Rajkot but the 34-year-old is upbeat about the schedule.
“I don’t think it’s a disadvantage. It’s good that we’re playing away. There won’t be much pressure of playing at home. Besides, we know the conditions well with 10 years into IPL. I don’t think it will make much of a difference.”