Would like to coach KKR and Team India to make fast bowlers like me: Shoaib Akhtar

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has expressed his desire to coach Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The speedster was a part of the popular franchise back in 2008, the only season for him in the cash-rich and prestigious T20 tournament. The Rawalpindi Express made his debut against the Delhi Daredevils, now Capitals, at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

In his very first appearances, he ruffled the feathers of the Delhi batsmen. The pacer produced a magical spell of 3-0-11-4, which broke the backbone of the opposition batting. Chasing 134, Shoaib’s thunderbolts reduced the visitors to 28 for four in the fifth over. He picked up the wickets of Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, AB de Villiers and Manoj Tiwary to take the Knights to the driver’s seat.

In the end, the Daredevils were bowled out for 110 and Shoaib got the Player of the Match award. After the thrilling spell, Shah Rukh Khan, the Knight Riders’ owner lifted Akhtar up in sheer ecstasy. Thereafter, the seamer went on to play only a couple of more games where he got a solitary wicket. From 2009 onwards, Pakistan players were banned due to some political turmoil with India.

Shoaib Akhtar wants pacers like him in Team India

Shoaib expressed his opinions during an interactive session on Helo App. The 44-year-old also wants to become a coach of the Indian national cricket team. The Punjab-born reckons that by taking up the role, he could inject his qualities in the Men in Blue’s fast bowlers. Shoaib was someone, who was always at the batters’ faces, hurling yorkers and bouncers to exert pressure on them.

At the present point in time, Team India has quite a few decent fast bowlers. In fact, in overseas conditions, they haven’t flattered to deceive by any stretch of the imagination. The likes of Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah have wreaked havoc.

Back in 2018-19, India won their maiden Test series on Australian soil after some sterling shows from the pacers. Not to forget Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has made the leather talk to earn some significant success at the highest level. Their bench strength isn’t weak either.