IPL 2022: A great cricket brain - Tim Southee on Shreyas Iyer

Tim Southee. Pics/KKR’s Instagram

Kolkata Knight Riders have won three out of their six IPL-15 games and experienced Kiwi pacer Tim Southee has played his part in their satisfactory show. Southee, 33, who has claimed five wickets in two games, advocates an aggressive mindset while defending low totals. He also praised new captain Shreyas Iyer's captaincy skills.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

On the mindset while trying to defend a low total:
Obviously, you want to have as many runs as you can on the board. When you have to defend a low total, it's important you stay aggressive and look to take wickets. It's the best way to slow a side down or restrict them. In our game against Royal Challengers Bangalore, we came close [lost by three wickets with four balls to spare while defending 128; Southee took 3-20], because we were able to keep taking wickets.

Shreyas Iyer

On Shreyas Iyer's captaincy at KKR:
Shreyas has done a great job. He's still a young cricketer, but he's got a great cricketing brain, trusts the guys and backs them 100 per cent. As a bowler you've got the confidence, knowing that the captain supports you and is backing you 100 per cent. He's been brilliant. I have only played a couple of games, but he's been tremendous in the success that we've had so far.

On bowling to, and dismissing hard-hitters like Faf du Plessis, Shikhar Dhawan and Shahrukh Khan:
You want to test yourself against the best and there are so many great players in the IPL. You are constantly challenged and constantly coming up against quality batsmen. So, I think that's what makes it such a great competition. And as a bowler, you need to be on top of your game for every delivery. It's a great challenge and one that I really enjoy being a part of.

On playing the shortest format and its effect on performance in the other two formats of the game:
It [T20 cricket] has a positive impact on a lot of things. As a player who wants to play multiple formats, you have to be able to adjust. You look at some of the guys who have had success with the new ball…they don't change too much. Umesh Yadav hasn't changed too much in what he does in other formats. Josh Hazlewood is the same and does similar things to what he does in Test and ODI cricket. I think it's great for bowlers to be able to show their skills and be able to adapt to all three formats. You look at the best bowlers around the world and they are able to do it across multiple formats.

On whether the price tag plays on a cricketer's mind during the IPL:
I think the focus is just on what's in front of you. Obviously, there's a lot of talk around auction time, but I think once the tournament starts, everyone's focus is on what they are trying to do and what they are trying to achieve throughout the tournament and that is, to try and win as many games as they can for their franchise.