Spinner Jagadeesha Suchith has welcomed the next chapter of a promising career after moving to the Kings XI Punjab for the 2020 Indian Premier League.
Suchith previously represented the Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians. Bet365 have the Kings XI Punjab priced at 10.00 to win the 2020 IPL.
He is currently a relatively permanent fixture in the Karnataka first-class and T20I XI, having returned to favour after being dropped a couple of years ago.
What Suchith said
“It was the most difficult period in my career. For two years, my life did not move forward. But I did not leave cricket behind, it was all I knew. I went back to play for Vultures Cricket Club in Bengaluru and picked up 42 wickets in 11 games, I ended up as the highest wicket-taker,” Suchith told the Kings XI Punjab's official website.
“It kept my confidence high, and ensured I was fit and ready for a Karnataka call-up if it came. Sure enough it did, after a gap of two years but was more than worth it.”
The 26-year-old Suchith will play alongside West Indian batsman Chris Gayle, Austrlian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, South African fast bowler Hardus Viljoen and other international stars at the KXIP.
The Kings XI Punjab have never won the IPL. They reached the final in 2014, but lost to the Kolkata Knight Riders. The Punjab franchise, unlike the Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, have competed in all Indian Premier League tournaments since 2008's start.
“I have got another opportunity to work with the players and I am really looking forward to that. In IPL, whether you have a good start or not the finish has to be good, it's a roller coaster ride. I don't want the team to panic because it can happen when if you constantly focus on the points table,” Kings XI Punjab head coach Anil Kumble told India Today.
“If you are third on the table and lose two games then you can drop down to seventh. Then after a win you can go up again. You keep going up and down in the table in the IPL. Consistency will be my main focus for Punjab.”
The Mumbai Indians have four IPL titles. Chennai have won three. Kolkata have won two. The Rajasthan Royals, Deccan Chargers and Sunrisers Hyderabad have won one each. The Deccan Chargers are no longer an IPL franchise.