KKR bank on Wasim Akram

Kolkata, Jan 10: Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram has donned the role as mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the cash-rich cricket tournament, Indian premier league (IPL).

Akram joined the KKR players at the nets in Kolkata on Saturday.

The KKR, owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, was placed at the bottom in the second edition last year, whereas it was a last but one in the inaugural edition.

Rohan Gavaskar, the KKR batsman, said Akram’s experience of the subcontinent conditions augured well for the team. “Good point is that, he (Wasim Akram) is from the subcontinent, he is from Pakistan, he knows, he knows the subcontinent conditions, he knows, he knows how to handle subcontinent players. So, the whole package of Wasim bhai being with us, it can only help us,” said Gavaskar.

Former Team India Skipper Sourav Ganguly and left-arm spinner Murali Kartik, both playing for KKR, are also attending the camp. (Agencies)

India crush Lanka to storm into final

Mirpur (Bangladesh), Jan 10: Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir toyed with the Sri Lankan attack as India stormed into the final of the cricket tri-series after crushing the islanders by eight wickets in a lopsided match here today.

The Indian bowlers did a neat job, skittling out Sri Lanka for a meagre 213 in 46.1 overs before their batting colleagues took over, guiding the team to 214 for two for a facile win that came with 17.2 overs to spare.

Gautam Gambhir (71 off 86 balls) and Dinesh Karthik (48 off 40 balls) gave India a flying start before Virat Kohli came up with a breezy unbeaten 71 off just 68 balls to complete the formality.