Kyle Jamieson looks forward to IPL 2021 as 'good chance to practice T20 skill sets' ahead of T20 WC

Kyle Jamieson has been one of the most talked-about cricketers in recent times. With an outstanding start to his career, the New Zealand fast-bowler has shown that he is a world-beater. He turned up with a terrific record in the home summer of 2020-21 and then picked up seven wickets in the World Test Championship final and got the Player of the Match award. 

But, the tall pacer will now face a different challenge next up. After the WTC final, he was seen playing for Surrey in the T20 Blast but his biggest T20 challenge is yet to start. He will be seen in action once again for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the second phase of the IPL 2021 which is set to begin on September 19. 

After this, he will be staying back in the United Arab Emirates for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. The 26-year-old has some fond memories in the UAE. He first made an impression at the U-19 World Cup in 2014, which was played in the UAE. In a recent interaction, he revealed that the IPL 2021’s second leg could potentially act as good preparation for the World Cup. 

It’s nice to have a block of T20 cricket going into the World Cup: Kyle Jamieson

“It certainly gives us, [and] me a little bit of a head-start in terms of getting used to those conditions and those grounds. It’s nice to have a block of T20 cricket going into the World Cup and, like I said, just a good chance to practice some T20 skill sets in the venues we’re going to be playing on,” Jamieson said to ESPNcricinfo. 

There was a bit of doubt about how Jamieson would adapt his skillsets for the shorter formats. After being picked up for a record salary of INR 15 crores, the pacer, who is a handy batter as well, didn’t disappoint. In the seven matches during the first phase of the IPL 2021, he picked up nine wickets bowling at crucial points for his side. 

Jamieson also made a point about how the matches of the IPL will help him prepare better for New Zealand. As the schedule was announced, New Zealand will play their opening match in the T20 World Cup against Pakistan on October 26. After this, they will face India on October 31.