‘Maxi is KXIP’s most technically superior fielder’
One doesn’t often hear an Indian cricket team staff praise an Australian player. India’s fielding coach R Sridhar, however, is different. As Kings XI Punjab’s fielding mentor he was full of praise for team captain Glenn Maxwell.
“Glenn is the most technically superior fielder in Kings XI Punjab. I am also happy with our overall fielding unit. We have the luxury of having some of the best fielders in the world. Maxwell and David Miller are some of the best in the world. Some of the Indian youngsters are also terrific,” said Sridhar, ahead of Punjab’s match against RCB.
Kings XI won their opening match against Rising Pune Supergiant on Friday while batting second. After the match, Pune’s Manoj Tiwary said the toss played a crucial factor in deciding the result.
However, Sridhar disagreed. “Manoj might have said so because when his team was batting there was moisture on the pitch and the ball was stopping and coming on to the bat. That factor did not play while we batted. Also, it was a 4pm match, while tomorrow (Monday) it’ll happen at 8pm. So, the conditions might be different,” he said.
“We played an ODI against South Africa here where we defended a very low total. So, it is not that whoever wins the toss will win the game.”
Regarding the encounter against RCB, Sridhar said: “Both teams are coming after a win and the confidence level would be high. RCB have got a great T20 batsman in Chris Gayle. We have a game-plan ready for them. Hopefully, it’ll work.”
Regarding his role in the team, Sridhar said it was more of a mediator between the best and young players.
“I am more of a messenger between the likes of say Maxwell, who is a very good fielder, and T Natarajan, who is very young. “
“All the inputs I receive from the best in the team, I pass it on to the youngsters.”