England bowling all-rounder Sam Curran has fetched 7.20 crore to live his dream on making his maiden entry to the Indian Premier League (IPL). Concurrently, he’s playing for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) under the leadership of Ravichandran Ashwin.
So far, he has played in a solitary game against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Despite leaking runs, Curran managed to pick two wickets before missing out the second game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
In Jaipur, last year, the bidding war started off between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) before KXIP joined the race by starting off their bid with INR 5.20 crore.
The Northampton-born 20-year-old Curran is elated to make it to the IPL. He also revealed that he has been following the lucrative league closely back in the United Kingdom (UK).
IPL 2019: Sam Curran happy to be part of the KXIP family –
When asked about his maiden IPL experience, Curran wore a beatific smile by saying he is lucky to share the dressing room with prominent players of the world. He added he has been following IPL for quite long.
His entire focus is on to play quality cricket for the Punjab-based franchise.
“I am really excited to be part of the IPL. I have been watching it for a long time. It is an amazing tournament. I am really looking forward to playing some good cricket and sharing the dressing room with the best players in the world,” Curran told ToI.
He’s one among the foreign youngsters who have shown a keen interest in the world’s most successful T20 league.
The exciting all-rounder Curran is the expensive foreign buy following a solid show in the international fold.
Curran feels for the concurrent season, KXIP looks a balanced unit with exciting prospects at the helm of affairs. He is confident about learning things from his seniors.
“Punjab have a talented bunch of boys. It is a well-balanced side. I have shared net sessions with these players. I am sure I will learn a lot from players around the world,” Curran added.
IPL 2019: Sam Curran hails Ravi Ashwin as a leader –
Curran, who has watched the evolution of KXIP over the years, sees an astute leader in Ashwin. He has praised the star bowler for bringing in the wealth of experience within the camp. He is optimistic on KXIP’s title win too.
“We have a great captain in Ashwin. He is a good leader. He did well for KXIP last year and I am sure he will guide KXIP to the title this year,” Curran stated.
Well, with the inception of IPL in 2008, Curran revealed he was playing cricket alongside his father Kevin Curran at his garden while learning the niceties of the game.
Furthermore, Sam reiterated he was watching stalwarts of the game on the television. It subsequently motivated him to become of the most-sought-after all-rounders in the domestic leg.
While rising amount the ranks, Sam has impressed England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Besides, he further made it to the senior team much in advance.
“I was playing cricket with my father in the backyard of my house when IPL started (laughs). I was learning the game at that point of time. And I was watching big stars hitting the ball, taking wickets and doing some great fielding on the television screen,” Sam concluded.
It would be interesting to see how Ashwin will make use of Sam in the impending fixtures of IPL season 12.
KXIP will face-off Mumbai Indians (MI) on March 30 at Mohali.