Kuldeep Yadav’s underwhelming show let Kolkata Knight Riders down in last year’s IPL, but the team’s chief mentor David Hussey believes that the Indian left-arm wrist spinner is at the “top of his game” this season and will be a consistent performer.
The Chinaman bowler got just four wickets from nine matches in 2019 and was dropped from KKR after logging an average of 71.50 and an economy rate of 8.66.
In an interview to PTI, Hussey said Kuldeep would not have any confidence issues going into the 13th edition of the league.
“I personally believe after the last eight-nine days of training camp, he’s at the top of his game. He’s fielding well, he is running well, he’s covering the ground very well. And his bowling has a nice rhythm, and with lots of revolutions on the ball,” the 43-year-old Australian said.
Skipper Dinesh Karthik had said Kuldeep was dropped for his poor form as the team wanted to give him a “break and get him back fresh”.
“Kuldeep is a very confident player. He knows what he can and can’t do with the ball, he spins the ball both ways. He reads the game exceptionally well,” Hussey continued. “I don’t think he will have any confidence issues throughout the tournament and I do say that without putting too much pressure on him. I think he would be a very good consistent performer for the Kolkata Knight Riders.”
Kolkata Knight Riders boast of a fiery pace attack led by world number one Pat Cummins. The spin department is, however, considered their weak link in the slow conditions of UAE. But Hussey, who joined this season, backed the spinners to be led by none other than Sunil Narine.