IPL 2017: Umesh Yadav would have been big advantage, says Gautam Gambhir

Umesh YadavRajkot Kolkata Knight Riders KKR captain Gautam Gambhir on Thursday admitted the unavailability of inform pacer Umesh Yadav in the first two away games came as a bit of a surprise and added its an opportunity for the other players to rise to the occasionYadav is likely to return for KKRs first home game against Kings XI Punjab on April 13 after taking a break due to long Test season with India KKR play Gujarat Lions on Friday in their first game of the 10th edition of the Indian Premier LeagueUmesh was a bit of a surprise because the form he was in we thought if he could start it would have been a big advantage but it gives others an oportunity We have got a pretty good bowling attack so hopefully the guys can deliver Gambhir told reporters on the eve of the gameLook at the moment I can say that he is available There is just that workload issue and no fitness issue He is going to be available for the third game which is going to be good for us explained the southpaw when further pressed about Umeshs statusKKR will also be without the services of West Indian Andre Russell this season as he is facing a oneyear ban for doping Gambhir said they have to get their combination right without the allrounder who did so well for the men in purple last timeWe have to start well no matter we bat or bowl first This is the first game of the season for both teams so there will be a few nerves We deserve to play with a lot of freedom and we have players who can turn the game on its head Gambhir saidWithout Russell we need to get our combination right He was an important member of the team and lets see how the guys deliver for us he addedAsked about the addition of chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav in the side with the Nagpur tweaker returning figures of 468 on debut for India in the fourth Test against Australia Gambhir said the spotlight should not be on the 22year old and he should be left on his ownWe should not talk about Kuldeep a lot He should be left alone to hone his skills We are not going to put too much pressure on him as we have other bowlers who can take that pressure Let him enjoy his game We want him to bowl freely He is one of our attacking options He will be a matchwinner for us the Delhi bataman saidOn the wicket Gambhir said it will be a high scoring oneThe wicket is good and high scoring It wont spin a lot and we expected that The opposition wont give us a spinning wicket he addedNew Zealand pacer Trent Boult who was suffering from an injury is fit and raring to go Gambhir said He is raring to go and we see him as an wicket taking option We have never had a left arm seamer Hopefully he will do it for us