Less than a week after his appointment as the Kings XI Punjab coach, Michael Bevan, the former Australia limited-over batting great, flew down to join Preity Zinta, Ness Wadia and Co. at their team table for the IPL auction. The 40-year-old confirmed that Adam Gilchrist, who led the Deccan Chargers to IPL triumph in 2009, would lead the beleaguered team.
Excerpts:
Considering Yuvraj's local fan following, was there pressure on you to go for him?
He is a fantastic talent and a superstar in his own way. But the decision had to be made more because of budgetary constraints more than anything. Since we already had a guy for over a million, it was more because of the financial side than anything else.
Does that mean Adam (Gilchrist) wasn't a first choice as captain?
When you go into an auction, you always have to have a couple of options. It was the same for every role that we have as we go down the list. Gilly was one of those guys.
Will Gilchrist lead the team?
Adam will be the captain. Yes, he will lead the team. That's why we picked him.
Do you have enough time to unearth the domestic talent and get acquainted with them?
I am reasonably familiar with the local talent, but there is an element of trust in our team. So, we have to rely on people who are watching out for the local talent and bringing information back to us. That gives a good picture.
Do you have enough time to unearth the domestic talent and get acquainted with them?
I am reasonably familiar with the local talent, but there is an element of trust in our team. So, we have to rely on people who are watching out for the local talent and bringing information back to us. That gives a good picture.