KKR coach Trevor Baylis hints at replacing Pathan with the New Zealand captain
Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) yesterday hinted at dropping misfiring big gun Yusuf Pathan for explosive batsman Brendon McCullum in their crucial Pepsi Indian Premier League encounter against Chennai Super Kings at the Eden Gardens today.
Yusuf Pathan
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When asked if the team management was thinking of including McCullum, Knight Riders coach Trevor Bayliss said there is a strong possibility that the New Zealand skipper will get a look in. McCullum has been warming the benches after missing the initial few games due to injury.
“There is a possibility, it has been on my mind,” Bayliss told reporters. The Aussie said there’s a possibility of a change in the combination of foreign players in the playing XI.u00a0With his team’s title defence under threat after losing three out of five games, Bayliss hinted at dropping Pathan for today’s game. The burly all-rounder has managed just 61 runs from five games.
Brendon McCullum
“I have been working with Pathan and trying to find out what is wrong. But we have a couple of options and we might use them,” said Bayliss.u00a0The coach, though, was quick to emphasise on the match winning abilities of Pathan. “Of course he is a match winner and we are all aware of his capabilities. He has been looking confident,” said Bayliss.
Conceding that his batsmen were “not playing as well they should be” the Australian hoped they would come good against the Chennai outfit. “Our batsmen have not been playing as well as they should be. The embarrassment on the players’ faces was evident after the loss to Kings XI Punjab in the last match. They were hurt to let the game slip like that. The boys know they have to play well.
The Kolkata franchise have won both their home games would hope to continue the trend and move up the table from the seventh position. Super Kings are placed fourth after winning three out of five games.
Gambhir’s wishlist
. His fluent form continues
. Brendon McCullum comes back with a bang
. Narine bamboozles the formidable CSK line-up
. Dhoni gets less balls to face
. Eion Morgan keeps on playing cameos
Dhoni’s wishlist
. Mike Hussey bats through the innings
. Ravindra Jadeja contributes with bat and ball
. He continues his good form
. Batters handle Sunil Narine with ease
. Early exit of Gambhir
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