‘KXIP have more superstars’
Mohali: Kings XI Punjab head coach Brad Hodge feels that presence of multiple superstars makes their team a "dangerous unit" going into the 11th edition of Indian Premier league.
"If you look at the difference of this side compared to the past squads, I think there is definitely a rise in standard. We've got a lot of superstars, a lot of match-winners, which makes our team extremely dangerous, which should be good for future," said Hodge, prior to their opening encounter against Delhi Daredevils.
While top order batsman Aaron Finch is not going to be available for Sunday's match, Hodge said that while his absence is going to be "a huge loss", but the team has got the talent to cover his role.
He said the side boasts of some of "extremely dangerous cricket players" and "all match winners on their own".
In addition to Ashwin, Kings XI Punjab has players like Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle, David Miller, Karun Nair, Axar Patel, lokesh Rahul, Marcus Stoinis, Manoj Tiwary, Andrew Tye, among others.
About Kl Rahul, he said that the top-order batsman has taken up the challenge of delivering the dual role by keeping wickets, which gives the team more options.
"He has been working extremely hard and he is excited about this competition," he said.
When asked that after ten years of IPl, how does he see this season being different in terms of innovation, which the bowlers or batsmen may try, the Aussie said, "it is hard to pinpoint what it is, but we are certainly seeing the game evolve dramatically from day one, when Brendon McCullum hit 158 for KKR."
‘IPl can earn national berth’
Mumbai: Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder Deepak Hooda says a good performance in the eleventh season of the Indian Premier league will boost his chances of a national call up.
The 22-year-old Rohtak-born Baroda player has been a part of Sunrisers Hyderabad for the last two seasons and is keen to put up an impressive show both with the ball and the bat.
"The preparation is going good and I am feeling well. To be honest, I have to perform well in the IPl and if I achieve that, India is there, and then my dream (of getting selected in the national team) will materialize. I want to play in all the formats," Hooda said.
"If you see practically, then the road to the Indian team would be easier, if I perform well in the IPl," he quipped.