Lockie Ferguson has been a big impact bowler for KKR in IPL 2021: Eoin Morgan

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Eoin Morgan was full of praise for fast-bowler Lockie Ferguson, hailing the New Zealand-based cricketer for helping the Kolkata-based franchise qualify for the playoffs of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. KKR were sitting at the bottom half of the table after the first leg of IPL 2021. However, the Kolkata-based franchise made an incredible turnaround in the second phase and now are gearing up to take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the eliminator on Monday.

“Our performances have been constantly good”

“It’s been a fantastic turnaround. Our performances have been constantly good. The mood in the camp is quite confident and we are looking forward to Monday’s game immensely. It’s another opportunity to progress things further. If anybody watches the games, you see them (Tripathi and Rana) come out and play a positive role within that period. Both of them have done an incredible job so far and hopefully that will continue for us. Our top three batsmen have been in fine form. Given the challenges across three different venues, we have adapted really well throughout the tournament. I think that’s one thing we have to do tomorrow (Monday) as well,” said Morgan in the pre-match press conference.

Morgan was full of praise for his bowlers, especially Lockie Ferguson and the mystery spin duo – Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine.

“I think there’s a lot of talent in the IPL in different teams but certainly when it comes to those two mystery spinners, I think they offer a lot. Lockie has been in fine form throughout the whole year, and nevermind the last three weeks, he has obviously been a big impact bowler. He takes on a lot of responsibility as an overseas player,” added the KKR skipper.

“Hitting those sixes consistently, it takes consistent work”

All-rounder Andre Russell was another member of the team, who interacted with the media going into the encounter. Russell hailed Chris Gayle for giving some quality advice, which helped him a lot in hitting big sixes.

“I would like to do 20 to 30 pushups every day, just to keep my body strength going. Because hitting those sixes, 100 meters or more, I might do it for a couple of times a year, but hitting those sixes consistently, it takes consistent work. At the point of contact, most of the time, I try to make sure that everything goes to the ball. Some guys, they look to time the ball. They keep their shape, and they want the ball to go over the ropes. I want to hit the ball so hard that they end up getting a new ball,” he stated as quoted by India Today.

“I learned a lot from Chris Gayle. He said that I am afraid of getting out on the boundary, so I rather hit the ball over the boundary, like far back, make sure it’s a six,” added Russell.

It will be interesting to see if the all-rounder smashes a few sixes against RCB in the eliminator.