Kolkata Knight Riders batting coach Simon Katich happy with the squad
Debasis Sen, Bengaluru: Kolkata Knight Riders batting coach Simon Katich believes it will be hard to replace Andre Russell. The former Australian opener, who is now in Bengaluru to do radio commentary for the India-Australia test series spoke at length to xtratime.in on the composition of the squad this season. Here are the excerpts:
What is your take on the Kolkata Knight Riders squad this season?
Look, obviously we had a few issues with Andre Russell being suspended. There were a few injuries to our overseas players like John Hastings, Morne Morkel and a few availability issues with Jason Holder , Colin Munroe because of his international commitments. In terms of the squad we put together after the auction, there are quite a few new faces. So we feel that we got a good balance of players from the auction. We look forward to seeing them going out there and play.
Would you say KKR is a much balanced side than it was last season?
We got a very well balanced squad. We got a good mixture of experience and young players. We got some young Indian talents who are ready to prove themselves in the IPL. Chris Lynn has been outstanding in the Big Bash League last couple of years. Chris Woakes is another young overseas player who we can bank upon. He is a player on the rise, performing very well with the England ODI and Test team. We also have some young Indian talent like Kuldeep Yadav and Ankit Rajput.
KKR were given a jolt with the suspension of Andre Russell. How did you react and formulate a plan accordingly?
Yeah, we obviously knew that before the auction. As a result of that we have to look for options to replace him. Huge shoes to fill given the role he played, power hitting towards the end of the innings. He also could bowl with the new ball and also at the death. I think we have to quickly find out who can fit into his role.
A lot is said about Rovman Powell. What is your take on the Jamaican all-rounder?
Yes, Rovman looks to be an interesting prospect from Jamaica. He is just being picked for the West Indies one day team. He looks to be an exciting young player. His bowling though is not up to the standard of Andre Russell. But he certainly had some very good performances with the bat in West Indies. So, he is someone who could fill the role.
Can he be a perfect replacement for Andre Russell?
It’s hard to replace Andre. He is still a young player. If he gets an opportunity, he will get a chance to prove himself. He is still developing his game. It will be great to see how he goes.
Ah well, I can’t say we have found a replacement for him. Look it is very hard to replace a bloke who can bowl 145 kmph with the new ball and take wickets up front and then come back to be equally effective with the older ball too. And then there is his striking ability which is just brilliant.
By the look of the squad, a lot of emphasis has been laid on the fast bowling department. Do you see a change in the nature of wicket at Eden Gardens?
There’s been word that the wicket has changed. It has been relayed and it has some assistance to the quick bowlers. Just the other day in a domestic one day match where MS Dhoni played, the scores were very low. Hopefully the wicket is going to help our quicks. Obviously we got a good battery of quicks there with Nathan Coulter Nile, Chris Woakes, Umesh Yadav and Trent Boult.
You have high regards for Gambhir which is great considering the fact he got banned for elbowing you during a game…
Well, that is all part and parcel of the game, isn’t it. All fun and games, we had a laugh about it before the series last year. Look, it keeps happening and more often than not it is made up to look worse than it actually it when it happens only because of the moment.
You cannot allow these things to linger and have to get on with it. We’ve had a bit of fun about it!
Now it is all a matter of players going out there and performing which is the most crucial part of it all.
Look, he obviously has got some success in the IPL with KKR, winning the trophy twice. I think he is hungry to win it again. He is a very experienced captain and obviously has the respect of the players.