16-year-old Nagaland leg spinner Khrievitso Kense, who is the fifth amongst seven siblings and a son of a carpenter, while reflecting on his bowling said that that he has honed his leg-spin all by himself, by watching videos of Australian spin legend Shane Warne on TV and phone.
Khrievitso Kense was selected in the Nagaland’s squad for the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he made his domestic debut and represented his state in four games.
He scalped 7 wickets at an astonishing economy rate of 5.47 and was later added to Nagaland’s squad for the upcoming Vijay Hazare trophy.
Impressing everyone with his bowling in the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy the 16-year-old was called for trials by Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals for trials last month before being included in the IPL 2021 auction list.
IPL 2021: Mumbai Indians call Nagaland's 16-year-old leg spinner Khrievitso Kense for trials
Kense is the youngest entrant in the upcoming IPL 2021 auction and has a base price of ₹20 lakh and the buzz is that both the Mumbai Indians and the Rajasthan Royals are eyeing the youngest player in an auction pool of 292.
Addressing his bowling Khrievitso Kense said that he followed Australian bowling great Shane Warne and added that he self-taught himself leg-spin.
"I was initially bowling off-spin. But my fingers started paining. Then I tried leg-spin. I didn't have anyone to coach me. So I followed Shane Warne on TV and phone. I really liked the way he turned the ball. I never had a leg-spin coach, I learnt all by myself. There was a sir who would just guide me as I played U-16 cricket,” Khrievitso Kense told reporters.
Reflecting on his debut against Arunachal Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy, where returned with the figures of 1/19, Kense said that that he was nervous at first but after he got the wicket everything became normal for him.
"I was never nervous but that was the only time I felt some pressure. But after I got the first wicket everything became normal” he said.
Kense, who is from a state where football comes naturally to young kids, further revealed that he loves the way Afghanistan sensation Rashid Khan bowls googlies and added that he's a big fan of Sunrisers Hyderabad.
"I was always attracted to cricket and never liked football. Sometimes I play table tennis though. I really loved the way Rashid Khan bowls googlies. Since 2015, I'm a big fan of Sunrisers Hyderabad and watch the IPL with my friends every year," he added.
The 16-year-old leg spinner further mentioned that he is not thinking much about the upcoming IPL auction and is care-free, though he will be watching the auction with his Nagaland’s teammate, who is currently in a bubble for the upcoming Vijay Hazare trophy.
"I am 'bindaas' (carefree) and not thinking much about the auction (on Thursday). The team supports me well and yes we will watch it (the auction) together," he said.
Nagaland head coach Kanwaljit Singh while speaking about how IPL can help Khrievitso Kense develop his game further said that it would personally give him a lot of satisfaction.
“IPL would be just the perfect beginning for him to make a mark. It would be a big moment for the state and personally give me a lot of satisfaction for I could not make it but at least I helped someone else, ” Kanwaljit Singh said.
The IPL auction for the upcoming edition of the cash-rich league is set to take place on February 18 in Chennai.
(PTI inputs)
