Bowling is the weak link

Ravi Bopara, Kings XI's new recruit, is the player to watch.-AP

Captain Yuvraj Singh expressed his concerns with the bowling, more specifically fast bowling. “We have a good team this season although the worry is the pace department. However, our batting is pretty strong. We have Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene who are available for the whole tournament. We also have Ravi Bopara this year and he can bowl a bit. I’m sure they would all rise to the occasion,” said Yuvraj.

The Kings XI coach, Tom Moody, singled out Ravi Bopara as the player to watch out for this season. The Englishman earned Moody’s praise after an impressive show against the West Indies. “He is very exciting in any form of the game, and Simon Katich with his terrific form and experience is going to add value to the batting,” said Moody.

Yuvraj and Irfan Pathan will have fond memories of South Africa after their spectacular performances in the 2007 World Twenty20 Championships.

Pathan will be expected to open the bowling for Kings XI in the absence of frontline bowlers. The 22-year-old New South Wales fast bowler, Burt Cockley, could get an opportunity as well.

The side’s batting appears in better health, with the class of Yuvraj, Sangakkara and Jayawardene expected to come through. But the pressure to score big to compensate for a thin bowling attack could be telling.