KKR, RCB look to sort top order batting woes ahead of IPL 2024 face-off
The KKR side boasts of a strong bowling unit, at least on paper, and such under-par efforts with the bat could prove costly to RCB’s chances.
Newly-appointed Director of Cricket Operations of Kings XI Punjab for the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League Anil Kumble expressed uncertainty over the future of Ravichandran Ashwin as the captain of the team.
“Ashwin had a wonderful two years but of course we did not get the right results but we have not made any decision who the captain will be,” Kumble was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times after he was roped in as the Director of KXIP.
🚨JUMBO NEWS🚨
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We are pleased to confirm that Anil Kumble is our New Director of Cricket Operations! 🤩
KXIP tuhhada tay dil naal swagat karda hain! 🙌🏻#SaddaPunjab pic.twitter.com/SmEDDnODDO
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) October 11, 2019
However, Ness Wadia, one of the owners of the Punjab-based team, had earlier said that the franchise would surely retain their last year’s captain. But with Kumble’s latest comments, the shape of the team seems to be heading for a change.
Talking about building a strong squad, the former Indian captain said, “We have not decided that yet. Some decisions need to be made but we don’t need to decide at this moment. IPL is still five months away. There is an auction coming up, we will start to build a squad around that as well.”
The Pretty Zinta co-owned team are yet to win their maiden IPL title and have remained as one of the most unsuccessful franchises in the history of the tournament. In the last five years, KXIP’s standings have been sixth, seventh, fifth, last and last, respectively.
Thus, thee will be a lot on the shoulders of India’s highest Test wicket-taker to deliver. The former mentor of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians would be hopeful of replicating his glory days in Mumbai where the team captained by Rohit Sharma was one of the best in IPL.
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