Nair hopes doing well in IPL will open doors for India comeback

Kings XI Punjab batsman Karun Nair is gearing up to deliver his best performance in the Indian Premier League 2020.

He didn’t get enough chances to showcase his talent in the cash-rich league. Last year, Nair played only one game for the Punjab-based franchise even as the team grappled with middle-order batting woes.

However, the 28-year-old batsman was the third-highest run-getter for KXIP in IPL 2018. With the 13th edition of IPL is all set to kick-off from Sept.19, Nair is aiming to give his best shot as a batsman and help his side in lifting the elusive IPL title in UAE.

Nair, who hasn’t donned the Indian team jersey since 2017, believes that a good IPL season can work wonders for him and he could possibly make a comeback in the Indian team.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Nair said, “It’s again a new season and I’m glad that all of us are getting an opportunity to play. We need to thank BCCI and the governments who have been working hard to make this happen. Really excited to get started and hopefully I’m able to win some games for the team.”

“Very motivated,” the 28-year-old right-hand batsman told Hindustan Times.

“It’s again a new season so I’m glad that all of us are getting an opportunity to play first of all. We need to thank BCCI and the governments who have been working hard to make this happen.

“Also, very happy to meet all the boys after so long and then having this opportunity to come here in UAE and play. Really excited to get started and hopefully I’m able to win some games for the team.”

“IPL is such a big platform for every single player that comes from India.  Whatever opportunities I can get, I’ll be looking to do as well as I can to help Kings XI win games. If I can consistently do well then opportunities will come. Just looking at it one game and one opportunity at a time,” Nair added.

Nair is currently breaking the sweat at training, which for KXIP players started last Wednesday at the end of their necessary seven-day quarantine period amid the pandemic.

The training sessions are being overseen by head coach Anil Kumble and the rest of the support staff. Kumble, the spin legend, was India’s head coach when Nair became only the second Indian to make a triple-century in Tests against England.

“Really happy to have him (Kumble) around,” he said. “He was the coach when I was given my India debut. I was able to do well also when he was the coach. So only positive feelings to talk about. It’s a new year and new season so it’s important for us to prepare well because all of us haven’t played in so long and then hit the ground running straightaway.”

Trying to learn whatever I can from Kumble sir at Kings XI: Bishnoi: After guiding India to the finals of the U-19 World Cup, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi is now all geared up to play for Kings XI Punjab in his debut IPL season.

With just days left before the start of the 13th edition of the IPL, Bishnoi has insisted he is trying to learn whatever he can from his idol Kumble, who is the head coach at Kings XI Punjab.

“He (Kumble) is one of the greatest spinners in the world, so I am trying to learn a lot of things from him and his experience. Whether it’s his match temperament, skills, how he handled the match situation, how he bowled the flippers, I am trying to learn all of that from him.

“Right now I have time to learn from him and this is the best opportunity for me,” Bishnoi said in an interview from Dubai.

“Kumble sir has told me to bowl according to the match situation and do what I think I can do,” he added.

Bishnoi, who picked up 17 scalps from six matches at the U-19 World Cup, also praised KL Rahul, who will be leading the Punjab-based franchise for the first time. And he believes that Kings XI can win the title this year.

“Rahul is a good player as well as a good captain. In the nets, he goes to every player and talks and shares his experience. So far, it has been great talking to him and I am excited to play under his captaincy.

“The setup of the team is also very good. All the players are looking in good rhythm. Our team is a contender for the title,” he said.

According to Bishnoi, this year’s IPL edition will be a little more challenging for the players because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“IPL is a big stage where the biggest players of world participate. So it is the most difficult cricket league in the world. Due to Covid-19, it has become more difficult because you always have to stay vigilant, both inside and outside the field, so that nothing untoward happens. So it’s a little challenging than before,” said Bishnoi.

“For me, IPL is a great opportunity. I will just try to make my team win whenever I get a chance to play. I don’t want to think too much about the future. I want to try to do well by staying in the present,” he added.

Kings XI will begin their tournament campaign against Delhi Capitals on Sept. 20.