Agencies
Shakib Al Hasan is expected to return to the Indian Premier League in the upcoming edition, which starts on April 9. After serving a one-year suspension, he will return to the Kolkata Knight Riders and wear the Purple and Gold jersey once more.
In an interview with news agency PTI, Shakib said, “I’m open to anything to be honest. I’m very much confident, it’s just that I need one good game to get it going. If I can start well, I think I can do well for the team.”
In his last stint for SRH, he only played three matches, while at KKR too he may not be a regular as he’s primarily seen as a backup option for Sunil Narine. Shakib acknowledged that sitting out a game has an effect on overseas players, but that his choices are restricted, so he must keep an open mind.
“There are 8-10 overseas players in each team and only four can play. You cannot blame the team selection. You have to keep an open mind, keep training hard and need to make sure whenever you get a chance, you grab the opportunity with both hands,” he added.
In the post-Gautam Gambhir era, KKR have missed playoffs for two years in a row and Shakib hoped things would change this time around.
“From outside, you can see it in different ways. This team has grown in last two years. This is the year I think KKR will be able to deliver the performance that fans have been asking for. I’m very much optimistic, KKR will get the result,” said Shakib.
“We got a very good spin department, having said that we have got a great pace bowling lineup too. All in all, we have got a very good bowling lineup,” he concluded.
The 34-year-old, who was bought by his former franchise for INR 3.2 crore in the players’ auction in February 2021. However, Shakib was part of KKR’s title-winning campaigns in 2012 and 2014.
