Kiwi pacer Lockie Ferguson, who will be playing his second season in the Indian Premier League for Kolkata Knight Riders admitted that he has been a KKR fan ever since Brendon McCullum’s 158* against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first-ever IPL match in 2008.
The former New Zealand cricketer had set the floor on fire in the first match of IPL. He blasted the bowlers all-round the park to smack an unbeaten 158. Ferguson was young during that time and admitted that he became a Kolkata Knight Riders fan ever since.
During an interaction with KKR’s official website kkr.in, Ferguson revealed his admiration for the former Kiwi skipper. “Brendon (McCullum) was definitely one of our heroes while growing up. After watching him do so well in the first match for KKR, it was hard not to be a Kolkata fan. So yeah, I am super excited and I think Purple and Gold doesn’t look bad on me at all” said the KKR pacer.
KKR Squad is Looking Super Strong: Ferguson
He further said that the squad for the season looks stronger than last season, hoping for an improved performance from the side.
“The team we have (for this season) is looking super strong. Last year, we ended up sort of mid-table, so hopefully, this year we will get a chance to improve on that performance” Ferguson further added.
Ferguson has picked up 47 T20 wickets averaging 28.31 in 50 games so far in his career. He picked up just 5 wickets for KKR last year and would look to improve on his performance as well.
Meanwhile, IPL 2020 will be played in the UAE after the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the BCCI to stage the tournament outside the country.
Also Read: IPL 2020: 5 Kolkata Knight Riders Players To Watch Out For This Season
This is the second time that UAE will be hosting the IPL, after 2014, when incidentally Ferguson’s franchise KKR were the champions. KKR play their first match in IPL 2020 against Mumbai Indians in Abu Dhabi on September 23.
All the teams have reached the UAE and have got down to preparations as well. England and the Australian players will join their respective teams after the completion of the ongoing ODI series in England.