Stars'' absence won''t affect Kings XI''s chances: Bevan

Sabi Hussain

New Delhi, Jan 19 (PTI) Kings XI Punjab coach MichaelBevan today said absence of a few world-class players wouldnot affect his side''s chances in the fourth edition of theIndian Premier League as the Chandigarh outfit has got adecent combination up its rank.

Kings XI lost out on several key performers, includingdashing Indian middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh and SriLankan Mahela Jayawardene, who played for them in the firstthree seasons, during the IPL players'' auction held last weekin Bangalore.

As if that was not enough, they also lost bidding warsfor Australian all-rounder Cameron White, Indian batsman RohitSharma and all-rounder Irfan Pathan.

"There are few top players who are not in the side thistime. But nevertheless there is so much talent around and wehave got good combination of players. I am happy with theselection made during the IPL players'' auction," Bevan toldPTI.

"We were happy to go with some good solid young players.

I think young Indian talent will deliver the goods for us," headded.

Kings XI bought 10 players in the auction includingfour Indians in the form of wicket-keeper batsman DineshKarthik, all-rounder Abhishek Nayar, leg-spinner Piyush Chawlaand seamer Praveen Kumar.

Bevan, who has replaced countrymate Tom Moody as KingsXI''s chief coach f0or the fourth season of the cash-awashleague, said with former team-mate Adam Gilchrist as captainhe is confident of the Punjab team''s good show in thetournament starting April 8.

"Gilchrist will be the captain of Kings XI Punjab forthis season. We have brought him specifically for hisleadership skills. He is an amazing player and a world classwicket-keeper. He is going to bring lot more experience intothe team.

"He has got the ability to unite players. Adam still hassome cricket left in him. He will be great influence to theteam," the 40-year-old Belconnen-born former left-handerbatsman said. .