Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) head coach Jacques Kallis lavished praise on rising starts of India in the form of Shubman Gill and Shivam Mavi. He said that they will have an illustrious career in the foreseeable future owing to their potential.
Meanwhile, the duo grabbed eyeballs during the ICC’s Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand earlier this year (2018).
Interestingly, Gill bagged the Man of the Series Award, Mavi impressed with his brisk pace. He clocked over 145kph alongside speedster Kamlesh Nagarkoti.
Moreover, both the players are representing the Kolkata side and have already made their debut. However, they are yet to make a mark because of very little game time.
They made their debut during Kolkata’s last game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Kallis admitted that both youngsters will have an illustrious career on the international stage in the coming years.
The veteran cricketer from South Africa Kallis further praised the qualities possessed by the youngsters. He also added that they are still improving.
“As a coach of KKR, I have seen them from close quarters. Shubman Gill and Shivam Mavi have bags of talent and I would be very surprised if they don’t both have lengthy and illustrious professional careers. Obviously, Gill has been a top-order batsman in every team he has played in but if his opportunity, for the moment, lies at six or seven then I’m sure he has the talent and temperament to be successful there,” Kallis wrote in TOI.
“Mavi has plenty of paces which is very exciting and, although he got less opportunity to the Sunrisers I see plenty more overs from him in the future,” Kallis said.
Need to start winning early: Jacques Kallis
Meanwhile, KKR had a different approach investing young prospects rather than going for big names.
However, they didn’t have a good start as they lost two of their three outings so far.
They need to turn things around when they face Delhi Daredevils on Monday (April 16) at the Eden Gardens.
“We have fallen off the early pace with the defeat to Hyderabad and need to get back to winning ways soon,” Kallis stated.
“Previously, we have put ourselves under pressure at the back end of the tournament and I’d rather not be in that situation again. We need to start winning again soon, beginning against Delhi [Daredevils] on Monday.” Kallis concluded.
