Trent Boult has no regrets about being benched by SRH nearly throughout IPL 9

New Zealand spearhead Trent Boult played only one of the 17 matches of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last edition. but for the Kolkata Knight Riders, Boult has featured in both the opening games of this edition.

The Kiwi stole the show in the season opener against Gujarat Lions, not with the bat, not with the ball, but with his athleticism while fielding. He caught Suresh Raina’s delivery which looked like a magnificent six.

Speaking to the Telegraph newspaper in Kolkata, where the Knights will take on an upbeat Kings XI Punjab tonight at the Eden Gardens, Boult said that being benched by SRH for most of the 2016 season wasn’t really very frustrating, realising that not more than 4 overseas players can play.

“It wasn’t so much frustrating, for it’s known just four players from overseas can make the XI… Sunrisers had a phenomenal group of players, but I was able to play one game…”

However, he is excited to be a part of a new franchise.

“It’s certainly a different feeling at KKR and it’s exciting to come to a new franchise… New people, new coaching staff,” Boult told The Telegraph.

It is natural when a cricketer is selected in the team, but is not selected in the playing XI, he will feel intimidated. But for Boult, it is understandable that when there are more experienced players than you in the team, being benched becomes natural.

“When a team has quality players, then some will have to sit on the reserves bench…The four-player restriction specific to those from overseas is there as well.”

Asked if he has had a word with the franchise co-owner Shah Rukh Khan as yet, he said that they exchanged just a few words in Rajkot.

Briefly, just a few words, when Shah Rukh came to the dressing room in Rajkot, at our first match. He’s a lovely guy.”