IPL 2018: Jacques Kallis excited by Tom Curran’s arrival for Kolkata Knight Riders

Jacques Kallis, the coach of Kolkata Knight Riders, is excited by Tom Curran’s arrival in the 2018 Indian Premier League after the England pacer replaced Mitchell Starc in the side.

The importance of a good start to any tournament cannot be overstated but what gives an edge to one in IPL11 is that teams have undergone a lot of change going into this edition.

Tom Curran will replace Mitchell Starc in the Kolkata Knight Riders squad after the Australian pacer was ruled out of the 2018 Indian Premier League due to injury. (AFP)

“Everyone’s a little bit nervous going into the first game but since there is a new look to the teams, everyone will also try to feel each other out,” said Jacques Kallis, coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Friday, on the importance of getting stuck in early.

First up against the Knights is Royal Challengers Bangalore, a team against whom they did the double last year. “We have got a good record against them and we will look to continue that,” said Kallis.

Mitchell Starc’s absence due to injury is a big blow but Kallis said he is looking forward to “exciting stuff from Tom (Curran). Mitchell’s a big loss but we are hoping Tom can play that role,” he said. The England all-rounder has been signed as Starc’s replacement.

Kallis will take that again but given that it may not pan out similarly, also spoke on the importance of wrist spinners.

“Their mystery ball is difficult to pick so they do play an important role alongside the conventional spinners. We also got a couple and they will come in handy, especially here at the Eden Gardens.”

Since they want to be flexible in the batting order, Kallis said KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik will start the IPL batting in the middle-order.