Rovman Powell could be the new star for KKR in IPL 2017, feels Gautam Gambhir

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Kolkata, March 29: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Gautam Gambhir started his preparations for the 10th IPL on Tuesday (March 28) at the Eden Gardens here.

The veteran India opening batsman, immediately after entering the ground, went to observe the green lush pitch of Eden Gardens.

It is learnt that Kolkata Knight Riders captain was not happy to have seen the character of the pitch.

Gambhir was seen batting at the nets for long one-and-half hours and the left-handed batsman was seen trying to execute all his typical shots like sweep, cover drives against the team's fast bowlers.

(IPL 10: Retained players' list)

Later, after coming out of the nets Gambhir, speaking about his team this season said, “We will miss Andre Russell this season, no doubt. Russell had a great contribution to several victories of KKR in the past. But at the same time, I am requesting you guys to keep eyes on another young West Indian lad. His name is Rovman Powell. He is only 23-years-old. He is an all-rounder, can bat in the middle order as well as he can bowl fast. I was really thrilled to have watched his batting and bowling video. I believe Powel has the ability to fulfil the absence of Russell."

Gambhir also looked optimistic about Sunil Narine. The captain commented, “Sunil is coming back. I am hopeful that he will again regain his match-winning touch. He is no doubt a match winner. But at the same time he needs time to settle down and get support from other bowlers."

Although it is learnt that Gambhir was not happy after watching the green wicket at the Eden Gardens, the skipper, however, looked quite adaptable while talking about the character of the Eden wicket.

Gambhir said, “Character of the wickets in all the grounds in India is getting changed. So, in a similar fashion the character of Eden gardens wicket is also changing. That is the reason our focus was to recruit fast bowlers like (Trent) Bolt, (Chris) Woakes in the auction and we have done that. In the matches also, these fast bowlers will be tried more on the bouncy green wicket."

OneIndia News