Kolkata: Kolkata Knight Riders bowling coach Heath Streak today said that there will be a plan to stop Jamaican maestro Chris Gayle who played in two match winning knocks for Kings XI Punjab against Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Though he doesn’t want to reveal their plan against Gayle but according to Streak a good start against Gayle is very important.
“Lot of people always asks us bowling coaches ‘what’s the plan’. It is very difficult for us to say because then he’ll find out. So we can’t really tell you the exact plan. He is a dangerous player. How you start to him is very important early on. If you allow someone like Chris to get into his innings and rhythm and confidence, he is a very dangerous player. He is so powerful and backs his ability when the ball is in his zone to clear the boundary. Last night was one of many examples we have seen not just in IPL but in his career. We will be planning well for him as well as the other players,” said Streak on the eve of the match at the Eden Gardens.
As per KKR bowling coach, Dinesh doesn’t have much experience as captain in IPL but his leadership qualities are really good and the team is counting on him.
“Look I think it’s an important aspect of the game as we know. But I think Dinesh as a captain, although at IPL level hasn’t had much experience, but his leadership qualities are really good. He is a highly detailed person, his attention to small things is good and he has shown that even when you watch him bat. He brings that composure and reads the situation well. I think can be over analysed but there are some great captains out there. People like MS (Dhoni), it’s been well documented (as to) how clever they are and how well they read the game and Dinesh is definitely one of those guys,” added KKR bowling coach.
Except Sunrisers Hyderabad all other bowling side has faced a lot of beating in this season’s IPL feels Streak but as per the former Zimbabwe international KKR pacers have displayed outstanding efforts in last two games.
“If we just look at barring Sunrisers (Hyderabad), it has been tough for seamers in IPL on really goood wickets. In the last couple of games, our seamers have been outstanding and I have been very impressed especially with young (Shivam) Mavi. He has been outstanding. Our seamers will get better and better,” said Streak.
KKR lost their ace pacer Mitchell Starc ahead of the start of the tournament, but he is backing the other bowlers to come good for them in the remainder of the tournament.
“It’s difficult to replace someone of the caliber of Mitchell Starc but I think the guys we do have got the attributes. Even a Curran, who came little bit short on match practice, he hadn’t done much since his tour of Australia, I think you will see him improving and Andre Russell too. He has been out for a long time and had an injury as well. So with more game time, they will get better. I hope we can continue to improve in the seam department,” added Streak.