KKR last made the playoffs in Dinesh Karthik’s first year with the franchise, in 2018, following which they consecutively finished fifth. Shakib, however, sounded optimistic that the two-time IPL champions would produce a better show this year.

The Kolkata-based side fell agonisingly short of a playoffs berth last year as both the third and fourth-placed teams finished with the same number of points, albeit with a superior NRR (net run-rate).

Notably, KKR have boosted their spin department ahead of IPL 2021 by signing Harbhajan Singh to partner the likes of Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy and Shakib himself. The former Bangladesh captain, who was bought for INR 3.2 crore at the February 18 auction, spoke highly of the team’s bowling department.

KKR’s pace battery comprises of a perfect blend of youth and experience. Young guns like Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi, Prasidh Krishna and Sandeep Warrier have Pat Cummins, Lockie Ferguson and Andre Russell to look up to.

“I need one good game to get it going” – Shakib Al Hasan

While the last year and half was tough for almost everybody, Shakib Al Hasan had to undergo a few more degrees of struggle. After facing a two-year ban – one year was later suspended – for failing to report corrupt charges, Shakib had to miss IPL 2020 and international cricket for a year.

Shakib represented his domestic side Khulna in the Bangabandhu T20 Cup after completing his ban in October last year. He, however, stated that he would need just one good game in the forthcoming IPL season to rediscover his mojo. He further added that he is willing to play any role for KKR, even opening the batting.

He last played the 2019 edition of the IPL in which he scored just 9 runs and scalped 3 wickets in three matches for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. There doesn’t seem to be any change this year in terms of opportunities, as he, along with Ben Cutting, have been picked as back-up all-rounders. Even Shakib himself is aware of that and spoke of the need to stay in a positive frame of mind.

The Kolkata Knight Riders play their first match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad – Shakib’s former franchise – in Chennai on April 11.

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