New Delhi:
Iceland is a country known for volcanoes and hot springs. The Nordic country made a big impact in the Euro 2016 encounters and also qualified for the 2018 World Cup. Iceland is more associated with football. But cricket? Apparently, Iceland is all set to make a big impression in the Indian Premier League 2019. Kings XI Punjab have roped in mystery spinner Kató Jónsson and he will attend trials to be part of the bowling arsenal for the remainder of the 2019 Indian Premier League. Jónsson will be the first player from the Scandinavian country to feature in one of the teams in the IPL. In a report on the Kings XI Punjab official website, the franchise highlighted the key factor in Jónsson's acquisition.
The Iceland mystery spinner is known as the fíflið or the backspinner, which when delivered with the fingers ripped under the ball, drops about half of its pace after bouncing, making it difficult for batsmen to time their shots. In a Facebook live conducted on the Kings XI Punjab official page, the Iceland spinner said, “It’s unbelievable. From watching the IPL on my computer to possibly becoming the first Nordic player to play in it is beyond my wildest dreams. I’m ready and can’t wait to get started.”
Satish Menon, the CEO of Kings XI Punjab, also told the official website, “This is what the IPL is all about,” Kings XI Punjab CEO Satish Menon told the official website of the franchise. “This proves that cricket is truly a global sport that knows no boundaries. To have a cricketer from Iceland in IPL would be historic and a testament to our belief that opportunity doesn’t discriminate.”
Kings XI Punjab have started off well in the 2019 Indian Premier League, beating the Rajasthan Royals for the first time at the Sawai Mansingh stadium but the match was overshadowed by the mankading incident involving Ravichandran Ashwin and Jos Buttler. Kings XI Punjab, though, lost their second game against Kolkata Knight Riders after Mohammed Shami bowled a no-ball which resulted in Andre Russell smashing 48 runs as Kolkata Knight Riders won the match by 28 runs.
In their previous encounter against Mumbai Indians, KL Rahul's 71 and aggressive knocks from Chris Gayle and Mayank Agarwal helped Kings XI Punjab beat the Mumbai Indians by eight wickets. The next game for Kings XI Punjab will be against Delhi Capitals at the IS Bindra stadium in Mohali.
