Kohli, Jadeja under pressure to perform: Akram

Former Pakistani captain Wasim Akram, the bowling coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders, feels that Ravindra Jadeja and Virat Kohli would be under tremendous pressure to perform in the fifth season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The legendary fast bowler said that Jadeja would have to justify the enormous amount of money spent by Chennai Super Kings for acquiring his services while Kohli would feel the heat to continue his rich vein of form.

Jadeja was bought by the Chennai outfit for a whopping $2 million (Rs 9.8 crore). The Saurashtra all-rounder previously represented the Rajasthan Royals.

“IPL-5 will tell us how much Ravindra Jadeja has evolved as a cricketer. He started promisingly on the Australian tour but faded out. He may have talent but he now has to justify the price that Chennai paid to acquire him. Jadeja really has to get his act together and the pressure will be enormous,” Akram was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.

“At the same time, Virat Kohli will be under pressure to continue his good form. He has been a revelation so far for Indian cricket and deserves all the adulation he is getting on and off the field. Kohli now needs to keep his feet firmly grounded and enforce the belief that he is India captaincy material,” he added.

Akram backed the teams that were in the last four last year to be the top teams once again.

“It is difficult to predict which teams will end up as top four. The IPL has always thrown surprises and it has made or marred reputations. But looking at team combinations and back-up staff strength, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Mumbai should go all the way till the qualifiers and eliminators.”