Neesham looks to make it count in IPL

Dubai: Back in IPL after six years, New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham says his much steadier head and international success should help him immensely in his stint with Kings XI Punjab this season.

By his own admission, Neesham did not know much about his game when he made is IPL debut with the Delhi franchise six seasons ago, having earned his New Zealand cap in December 2012. Since then, it has been quite a journey for the witty 29-year-old who was not picked for the 2015 World Cup, considered retirement after the 2017 Champions Trophy before becoming an integral part of the Black Caps ODI team and almost getting his team hands on the elusive World Cup trophy last year.

With KXIP spoilt for choice with their overseas recruits, Neesham is not sure how many games he would get to play but he could not be more excited for his IPL comeback.

“It is my first time getting involved in a long time. It is exciting to come as an older player and as an experienced player. Last time I played for Delhi, I was young and talented but didn’t really know much about my game,” Neesham told PTI from Dubai where he is in the middle of his six-day quarantine, having arrived on Friday.

I did not know what I needed to do to succeed. It was a challenge back then, he added. Neesham was bought by KKR for the 2015 edition but could not take part due to an injury.

This time I have come with a steadier head and knowledge under the belt and hopefully I can pass that knowledge to some of the younger guys in the squad. Really excited about our team, we got some of the biggest names in the world in Chris Gayle and Glenn Maxwell and it is a team that can certainly win a lot of games and the tournament.

Confined to the hotel room for six days can be boring and challenging but as professional cricketers, Neesham feels they are much better placed than a lot of people who are going through tough times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a long and unsual flight from New Zealand and Neesham had the company of his skipper Kane Williamson, who plays for Sunrisers in the IPL.