IPL is tough and fast, only the fittest will survive: Gilchrist

As the biggest star in Kings XI Punjab side, and the most experienced as well, Adam Gilchrist has left no stone unturned to get his team in the right frame of mind as they gear up for their first outing in the League at Jaipur on April 6, writes The Tribune.

“Although, we don’t have the so-called big names, but we are giving it our all in the regular training sessions. Working under the guidance of an experienced support staff, we are hopeful that the fifth edition will remain a high-pitch affair and will bring lots to cheer for the fans all over. The presence of three to four all-rounders is our main strength and I am sure they will give their best,” Gilchrist said.

“I just want to advise all youngsters, that this is a cricket-driven country with a lot of potential and all they need is to click at the right time. The opportunity is open to them and they can make it big. The IPL might not be the best platform to judge performances of youngsters but they can get the confidence to face tough competition and excel only here. The game is fast and only the fittest survives” said Gilchrist.

Meanwhile TOI writes that there’s unmistakable buzz in the air. “Chennai doesn’t get too excited when it comes to Bollywood stars but when stardust comes packaged with cricket, things take a different turn. The huge cut-out of Salman Khan at the YWCA ground, where the IPL opening ceremony will take place on Tuesday, says it all. The Bodyguard will clearly be the biggest attraction at the two-hour extravaganza, even though Katy Perry is promising ‘Fireworks’ for the event. “That’s one number of mine that will go well with the mood of the event,” Perry said.

With the IPL teams boasting of players from disparate backgrounds, it has served as a medium to bring together players who otherwise would have been at loggerheads, writes The Hindu, citing the examples of rivals Shane Warne and Graeme Smith seen together for Rajasthan Royals  and Andrew Symonds and Harbhajan Singh who put behind their acrimony to turn out for Mumbai Indians.

The national daily also adds that perceptions about the Indian Premier League have a schizophrenic touch. “It is either the spotlight-grabber for unheralded players like Swapnil Asnodkar and Paul Valthaty or it is fame's dark alley that leads you astray. As usual, truth is lost in the middle. Since 2008, the league has unveiled frenzied chases and whipped up shrill debates about after-match parties. Amidst the cacophony, the IPL's few but fine contributions cannot be overlooked.”

Kolkata Knight Riders mentor and bowling coach Wasim Akram feels the team has enough variety in batting and bowling to excel in IPL-V.
In an interaction with the media on Monday, Akram said the team had added a few local players keeping in mind the future.
“The team's batting has depth, the bowling has variety and the fielding is excellent. And the team has a captain who leads from the front,'' he said.
“We will like to welcome back Brendon McCullum. He is a player who can change the course of a game. The team has Yusuf Pathan, whom the whole world fears him. Then the team has a very good coach in Trevor Bayliss who has immense experience in this format of the game,'' he said.