Cummins is likely to join the KKR squad by the end of the week in UAE.
The IPL 2020 will be played inside a bio-secure environment with everybody associated with the tournament undergoing several checks for COVID-19. Apart from the strict bio-secure protocols, the players are also facing the hot and humid conditions in the desert country.
While most of the KKR players have been training at the nets for the past couple of weeks, there some cricketers still to join the squad in UAE. One such player is the Australian speedster Pat Cummins, who is currently playing the white-ball series against England.
Cummins is likely to join the KKR squad by the end of the week. Meanwhile, he seems to be a little concerned about the weather conditions in the Middle East, as revealed by another KKR pacer Lockie Ferguson.
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During an interview on Kolkata Knight Riders’ website, Ferguson was asked about how excited he is to showcase his skills in the IPL 2020 amid tough conditions.
In reply, the New Zealand fast bowler said: “Yeah, very excited. I’ve played here a couple of times (for New Zealand). I’ll surely miss the buzz at Eden Gardens and around India, but I’m looking forward to the challenges of playing in the UAE as well.”
Ferguson then went on to speak about the conditions in UAE.
“Pat Cummins texted me the other day asking ‘how is the heat,’ and I lied to him saying it’s not too bad. Well, let him come and check it out - it’s pretty bad, isn’t it! (laughters),” he said.
Lockie Ferguson also expressed his excitement over bowling in tandem with Cummins in the upcoming IPL.
“Yeah, pace-offs we are surely going to have with each other. I don’t know if you are aware of this fast bowling club. We are always nice to the guy who can bowl at 150kmph! (Laughter).
“Look, Pat is an exceptional bowler, there is no secret about that. He is either the bowler of player of the year internationally almost every year. He seems to be getting better and better and he is still so young. He is a lovely guy and I am thoroughly looking forward to rubbing shoulders with him,” he concluded.
KKR will open their IPL 2020 campaign against defending champions Mumbai Indians on September 23 in Abu Dhabi.
(Inputs from Hindustan Times)