Krunal Pandya will be Mumbai Indian’s lead spinner in the 13th edition of the IPL 2020. And, he will play a great role in the tournament according to their head coach Sri Lankan stalwart Mahela Jayawardene.
Krunal, who plays as an all-rounder has scored 891 runs in 55 matches and picked up 40 wickets averaging 28.2 and 26.2 respectively. Jayant Yadav has picked up 5 wickets from 12 matches while Rahul Chahar has picked up 15 wickets from 16 matches averaging 24.4.
Krunal Pandya Will Have To Execute Plans As Wickets In UAE Assist Spin: Mahela Jayawardene Also Credits Jasprit Bumrah
While answering an ANI question in the pre-season virtual press conference, Mahela Jayawardene said the conditions here in the UAE will support spinners and the side has the right group of bowlers with them. Krunal Pandya will support Rahul Chahar, Anukul Roy and Jayant Yadav.
“Yeah, generally pitches will help most of the spinners and Krunal is going to be a big part of that. Rahul Chahar, Jayant Yadav are there and all are spinners are in contention of playing. You just have to do the basics right, there is no added pressure on spinners and they just have to execute their plans. We are confident about the group of bowlers we have for this season,” Mahela said.
Commenting on Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah, the head coach said he looks sharp and real professional.
“I think Bumrah has been training really hard. Because of Indian commitments, he has been through lots of training to keep with the load. Bumrah looks really sharp, he is a real professional and he has looked after himself during the quarantine,” Mahela said.
Jasprit Bumrah has already picked up 82 wickets from 77 matches averaging 26.59.
Mahela Jayawardene: Mumbai Indians Prepared If Someone Tests Positive
“I think a lot of players will be away from home after the IPL as well. We have planned different things, we have created an environment within the hotel so that they are looked after.” Mahela said.
He added that if in case someone tests positive in the group then also they are prepared for that situation.
“I mean the pandemic is such that is very difficult to control everything, but we are trying best to look at everything, but if someone ends up testing positive or there is a cluster of cases, then we have planned for it. We are trying to plan for everything. We will continue to do that and I hope everyone is disciplined,” the head coach said.
The 13th edition of the league will start from September 19, with CSK locking horns with defending champions Mumbai Indians in the tournament opener.