Mendis arrival to boost KKR camp

Kolkata:

Sri Lankan 'mystery spinner' Ajantha Mendis and Saurashtra batsman Cheteswhar Pujara will join the ongoing pre-season training camp of the Kolkata Knight Riders from on Sunday.

"The duo will arrive tonight and will be here for the camp tomorrow. We are planning for a practice match on that day," Knight Riders CEO Joy Bhattacharya said on Saturday.

On the second day of their camp under Pakistani great Wasim Akram and coach Dav Whatmore, Knight Riders today laid focus on the basics at the Eden Gardens here.

Former India left-arm spinner Murali Kartik, Ganapathi Vignesh and Prasanth Parameswaran along with Bengal players including captain Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Manoj Tiwary, Wriddhiman Saha, Sourashish Lahiri and Rohan Gavaskar attended the camp.

Exuding confidence, the junior Gavaskar said Akram's service would be of real help for the Knight Riders.

"He is a great cricketer and being a Pakistani he knows about sub-continental conditions well. He will be able to communicate well with the players," Gavaskar said.

Knight Riders finished last in the IPL II last year while in the inaugural edition the Shah Rukh Khan-owned side finished second last.

IPL season three will be held from March 12-April 25.