Bowling consultant of Kolkata Knight Riders, Wasim Akram is hoping new recruit Brendon McCullum gives Shah Rukh Khan’s team an explosive start when they clash with Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Eden Gardens today. “Personally, I will like Brendon McCullum to fire for KKR. I am sure the pugnacious Kiwi will deliver better under Gautam Gambhir. There will be no personality clashes and both Gambhir and McCullum are professional enough to know what’s best for Kolkata,” Akram wrote in his column on ESPNCricinfo.

High hopes
The Knights have high hopes from their other new recruit — West Indies’ Sunil Narine. The Netherlands all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate, with his big hitting capabilities and utility medium pace, is also in the reckoning for a place in the final combination.