Steyn thinks KKR will play Ferguson instead of Shakib against MI
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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have made a good start in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a 10-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad. In their opening match, Eoin Morgan kept Shakib Al Hasan in the squad. However, Dale Steyn thinks Kolkata will replace Shakib with Lockie Ferguson in the second match against Mumbai Indians.
In the first match, Pat Cummins bowled 3 overs and Harbhajan Singh just 1 over. Steyn's idea is that they can come down with more than one fast bowler in this match.
However, Steyn is not in favor of a change in Kolkata's winning combination. Because the Proteas pacer thinks that in the first match, everyone on the team has succeeded in the plans of coach Brandon McCullum and Captain Morgan.
"I also wanted Kolkata not to change the XI, but in the last match, they have thought a lot and come up with a lot of plans. Matching Brendon McCullum and Eoin Morgan. They will probably sit down and talk about how to do it. They are doing the role they were given,” Steyn told ESPN Cricinfo.
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Shakib could not do well with the bat as he was dismissed for 3 off 5 balls against (SRH). However, Shakib secured a wicket in 4 overs spending 34 runs. Steyn also thinks that Shakib will be ready to leave his place to give Ferguson a place in the second match.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock is scheduled to play for the Mumbai Indians in this match. The Proteas star thinks Kolkata will play right-arm spinner Harbhajan several overs if De Kock plays the match.
“Harbhajan did one over, Cummins three overs (in the first match). Then it seems that they will replace Ferguson in place of Shakib. Shakib will definitely not in mind for this. It’s part of the team’s plan. I will not be surprised if such a change occurs. Since De Kock is returning maybe Harbhajan will do a few more overs” he added.
Cricket analysts Sanjay Manjrekar also think that Kolkata might play Lockie Ferguson instead of Shakib. However, Sanjay also said that Kolkata XI should not be changed on cricket website Cricinfo.
“Kolkata should keep the XI of the previous match. But Kolkata may think about a place. That is the place of Shakib Al Hasan. He did well in the previous match. But I fear whether his batting skills will be needed for Chennai wickets! Since Cummins is at 7, maybe they can think of Lockie Ferguson, who will give extra pace,” he said.
"As there are some dangerous left-arm batsmen in the Mumbai XI. De Kock is back, Ishan Kishan is there. They might attack Shakib, as Bairstow-Shah tried to do together. Morgan will think of bringing Shakib when there are two right-handers. There will be a left-hander in the Mumbai XI for the entire innings so Shakib may have to sit down,” he added.
