IPL 2015: George Bailey trusts me to take wickets upfront, says Sandeep Sharma

Despite of finishing with four for 25 in four overs for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Sandeep Sharma could not take his team over the line despite setting up a decent score for KKR to chase down. A special innings by Andre Russell and some calm batting from Yousuf Pathan low down the order, made KXIP’s score look very meek. Bailey laments KXIP’s performance with bat and fielding against KKR

Although Sandeep is disappointed to lose the match, he says that his skipper George Bailey backs him to take wickets in the first few overs. He says, “He [Bailey] feels that I can take wickets in that phase [opening spell]. The ball was swinging and today there were left-hand batsmen at the crease. My natural swing is in-swing and the captain felt I can take Gauti paaji’s [Gautam Gambhir] wicket and luckily I got his wicket and the next batsman’s wicket too,” according to iplt20.com Russell thinks installing speed gun on his bat is a good idea

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Sandeep has formed a formidable partnership with Anureet Singh with the duo opening the bowking in all the matches in the tournament so far. Sandeep says the experience has been good so far. “It is good. He is bowling well too. We have different styles of bowling; I pitch it a bit fuller while he hits it back-of-length a bit. We talk and discuss a lot during the net sessions and otherwise too. We discuss that we should try to bowl dot balls but at the same time try for wickets as well,” Sandeep said. Gautam Gambhir brands Andre Russell a “new breed” of cricketer

Sandeep often resorts to taking advice from the senior pro Mitchell Johnson as well. “With him the discussion is more on the mental aspect of bowling, like even if you are getting hit how you should remain focused on the next ball. He talks about how you should switch your focus on, what you are going to do next and how to prepare for matches. He has spoken about how to maintain a positive body language regardless of how your day is,” Sandeep reveals. Kings XI Punjab vs Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL 2015: Highlights

KXIP play their next match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 21 at Ahmedabad. PHOTOS: Kings XI Punjab vs Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL 2015: Match 14 at Pune