IPL 2018: I hope to hurt the bowlers now, says Chris Gayle

The Kings XI Punjab have had three dismal seasons in a row. Now, they are eyeing to make a strong comeback in the tournament with an improved show this season. They have a new look side with an ideal balance of youth and experience. The KXIP rosters boasts of Chris Gayle, Yuvraj Singh, KL Rahul, David Miller and many other big names.

Also, the team will be led by a new captain Ravichandran Ashwin this season. The Director of Cricketing Operations of the franchise, Virender Sehwag, has noted that Ashwin is the best bet for the captaincy role. Sehwag remarked that he feels bowlers can be better captains in the team. He went on to quote that hopefully India will have a bowler as a captain after Virat Kohli.

“I have played with him and I know the kind of mindset he has. He is the right choice to be captain of Punjab team. I am a great fan of a bowling captain. I watched Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram as captains. In India generally you don’t give captaincy to bowlers, but hopefully after Virat (Kohli) some bowler will become the captain (of national team),” Virender Sehwag quoted.

Gayle prepares for the new challenge

Meanwhile, Chris Gayle has remarked that the preparations are going good. When asked about his thoughts on being unsold in the first round, Gayle cheekily admitted that he was hurt. However, he has now warned the bowlers saying he will be hurting them in the tournament.

“It is a good squad and a good all round team. I hope to hurt the bowlers. It is not going to be about Chris Gayle, it is going to be about team effort. Everyone has a role to play,” Chris Gayle remarked as per the quotes in Sportstarlive.

‘We promise to entertain’

Another player who is expected to play a big role for the Kings this season is KL Rahul. Reportedly, KL Rahul will don the wicketkeeping gloves as well. Rahul, who was bought for INR 11 crores, has promised that the KXIP camp will entertain the audiences this season.

“This is a new team, we promise to entertain and we promise to bring in a new brand of cricket. We will go out there and expresses ourselves and play aggressive cricket, that is what has been stressed about. Everybody wants us to win and we will put our best foot forward,” said Rahul.

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