CPL 2022: “we have a stronger unit” TKR Head Coach Abhishek Nair believes Pooran and Russell key components of this season

The Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) is a franchise cricket team that participates in the Caribbean Premier League.

The Trinbago Knight Riders were formerly the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel. The team is based in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

The Trinbago Knight Riders is won of the most successful teams in CPL history, having won the tournament four times- first in 2015 followed by the consecutive season victories of 2017 and 2018 and the latest in 2020.

Trinbago Knight Riders coach Abhishek Nair believes Nicholas Pooran and Andre Russell key components in the franchise’s pursuit of the fifth Caribbean Premier League T20 title.

“This season I think we have a stronger unit,” Nayar said in Monday’s virtual press briefing. “There have been a few changes in the set-up, with ‘Russ’ and Pooran coming in which strengthens our batting a lot.” he said

“We have a good mix of experience and youth. We have a very strong team. We’re looking forward to a good, successful season. The target we’ve set for ourselves is the championship and nothing less than that.”

“Last year wasn’t a season that went up to high expectations, but I think we’ve had that behind us and we’ll always bounce back.”he added

The coach confirmed that players who have already arrived in St Kitts held their first training session on Monday.

Nayar said keeping the core of TT players was crucial in maintaining a positive mindset among the TKR squad.

“We always tried to retain our core, make sure that we have a lot of players from Trinidad, because we believe that gives us the best chance to win that championship – the camaraderie, the unity that we normally have.” he said

“Often teams talk about being a family, I think just playing at the domestic club level together as well as club level, and then transitioning to playing for TKR, makes it a lot easier for the support staff. because you don’t have to work on the guys getting together and enjoying themselves together.”

“It’s about just getting it tactically right and making sure that most strategies are in place because the team unity and camaraderie is already there.” he added

TKR open their campaign in match two against last year’s runners-up St Lucia Kings at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts next Thursday.

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