IPL 2019 | Will look to take advantage of Steve Smith’s rustiness, claims Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin was all praise for Australia’s Steven Smith but added that Kings XI Punjab will look to take advantage of Smith’s rustiness after one year on the sidelines. Ashwin-led Kings XI Punjab will take on Ajinkya Rahane’s Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur tomorrow.
Steven Smith will be a man on a mission ahead of Rajasthan Royals’ opening game of the 2019 season of the Indian Premier League as he makes his return after a gap of one year. Smith will hope to silence his doubters, especially, with the 2019 ICC ODI World Cup just around the corner.
However, opposition skipper Ravichandran Ashwin will look to take full advantage of his rustiness as the two teams go head-to-head in their opening match of the 2019 IPL season at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Monday.
"We all know he is a quality player and must have worked and prepared hard during the break but comebacks are not easy. He must have put a lot of efforts for a comeback mentally. I am sure he would look to perform and on the other hand we would look to take advantage of his rustiness," Ashwin was quoted as saying by PTI sources.
Mumbai-born batsman Ajinkya Rahane will continue to lead the Royals this season as well as they hope to make the play-off stage for the second time in a row. Meanwhile, KXIP head coach Mike Hesson added that Windies’ great Chris Gayle will once again be a central figure in their squad for the coming season.
"The way he batted in the last series against quality bowlers and took on the spinners shows that he still is a formidable force. He is an asset on the field and in the dressing room where he helps youngsters groom," said Hesson.
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