Shane Bond has reached Kolkata via New Zealand Airlines. The responsibility on his shoulders is weighing more than his baggage, responsibility to incite fire in KKR, perogrative to lead the pace battery, pressure to replace Shoib Akhtar. But has he been able to deliver? Has he transformed the KKR? Has this charizmatic player added spark with sparkle to Riders? And the answer is NOT YET !.
Making his IPL debut, Bond started off in superb fashion as he just conceded a single in his opening over and went for another six runs in his next including a boundary for seven runs from two overs. Dhoni’s muscle power spoiled Bond’s day as he carted him for two boundaries and a six in his last three deliveries for 17 runs in the over. Speed was there, line and length not poor but the problem was “Missing Agression”, a quality so essential for your leading pace bowler. Even though it’s early days into the IPL yet 4 overs, 33 runs , 8.25 Economy Rate is neither a justification to Bond’s talent nor to a whopping amount that he is getting.
Bond served DDD, RKB, Kings 11 Punjab & Mumbai Indians more than KKR, as Dhoni has been ruled out of CSK’s matches against them as he was injured by Bond’s half volley. Shane Bond after CSK’s innings said-“I should have bowled more yorkers”. Self realistion is the first step towards excellence. Hopefully, Bond will arrive in a big way and next time folks humming ‘ KORBO LORBO JEETBO’ could proudly say Bond is here & he is ours.
The writer is the campaign coordinator at Youth Ki Awaaz.