Keeping the conditions in UAE in mind, one of Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) most crucial players during the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be Kuldeep Yadav.
The left-arm wrist-spinner had a poor IPL season last year, taking just four wickets in nine innings while going at an economy rate of 8.66.
However, given the sheer talent, the youngster is being backed to once again deliver the goods for the two-time champions.
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Chief mentor David Hussey is especially optimistic of Kuldeep having a terrific season with the ball and taking KKR to their third title in the gulf.
"I personally believe after the last eight-nine days of training camp, he's at the top of his game. He's fielding well, he is running well, he's covering the ground very well. And he's bowling has a nice rhythm, and with lots of revolutions on the ball," Hussey told PTI.
"Kuldeep is a very confident player. He knows what he can and can't do with the ball, he spins the ball both ways. He reads the game exceptionally well."
"I don't think he will have any confidence issues throughout the tournament and I do say that without putting too much pressure on him. I think he would be a very good consistent performer for the Kolkata Knight Riders," added the former Australia batsman.
The other of KKR's impactful players is Sunil Narine, who even though has become an explosive opener in recent years, remains also one of T20 cricket's finest spinners. Hussey said Narine will also certainly be key for the team on those surfaces.
"He will be one of the bowlers captain DK will throw the ball to whenever the opposition has the momentum. I'm sure Sunil Narine will win more often than not, those close battles."
"Narine arguably is the best T20 bowler in the world. In any conditions, he is one of the best players to have. Fortunately, he is at KKR, and he'll be at his most difficult self to play and handle."
Hussey put his weight behind the idea of pushing the dangerous Andre Russell to No.3 in the batting line-up.
"First and foremost, it's not my decision but if he bats at number three for the team, it's going to be the best decision for the team in order for us to win the games of cricket," he said, also throwing light on what Russell's probable promotion would then mean for Eoin Morgan and skipper Dinesh Karthik in the middle-order.
"Middle-orderr, it's probably the hardest place to bat in T20 cricket. We have Eoin Morgan, who's done it for England for many, many years. He is a great player, manipulates the field very well," Hussey said.
"We also have a captain in Dinesh Karthik who's been a world class player for such a long time for India and for the many IPL teams he's played...I expect him to lead from the front and heavily in the middle overs."
In the pace department, a lot of focus has been on the team's overseas recruit from Australia, Pat Cummins, and how he has the pressure of living up to his heavy price tag while also being the leader of the attack.
For Hussey, though, there is excitement about having both of the 2018 U-19 World Cup stars, young Indian pacers Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti, available. The two missed the entire last season due to injuries.
"They're both fighting fit, they're going really well," he said. "Both athletes, both world-class fielders as well. It's always good to have two strings to your bowling whether you're a bowler and a fielder or whether you are a batter and a fielder."
"They're both very, very classy. Fortunately, we have lots of depth in the fast bowling area, so if an injury does happen, heaven forbid, we do have covering in those areas," Hussey concluded.
Knight Riders begin their campaign on September 23 in Abu Dhabi against defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI).
