Kings XI Punjab batting coach Wasim Jaffer said overseas stars Chris Gayle and Mujeeb Zadran could feature in the playing eleven soon in the ongoing season of IPL.
KXIP have struggled so far, losing four of their five games, with death bowling proving to be their biggest concern.
Jaffer said the campaign has been disappointing so far but “it only takes a game or two” to turn things around. For that to happen, the more match winners in the team the better, said Jaffer adding Gayle in that list.
Both Gayle and spinner Mujeeb are yet to play in the IPL.
“It should happen soon. As I said, it needs to happen sooner than later. We don’t want to bring them when every game is a must win game. Hopefully, we will have those guys featuring soon,” Jaffer told PTI.
Jaffer said the 41-year-old West Indian great is in top shape and hungry to do the job for the team.
“Chris looks very much ready and is keen to get on to the park, he has been training really well and has looked really good in the nets.
“He is such an impact player, we all know what he can do. I hope he turns up and turns it on straightaway and changes the tide for all of us. He looks hungry and that is a very good sign for the franchise.
“I am hoping he plays quickly. We need match-winners, as many as as possible. Not just for the next game, also for the rest of the tournament as he can easily win you four-five games on his own,” said the former India opener. Jaffer said his team is in a situation where it needs to win seven out of the remaining nine leagues games to finish in the top-four, a tough task but possible.
For that, it will have to rework its composition and decide who will make way for Gayle and Mujeeb. Nicholas Pooran and Glenn Maxwell, who is yet to fire, are certain to retain their place in the eleven. Sheldon Cottrell and Chris Jordan are the other overseas players who featured in the last game which KXIP lost to CSK by 10 wickets.
Besides death bowling, Jaffer feels even the finishing with the bat also needs improvement.