West Indies pacer Obed McCoy has said the Indian Premier League (IPL) helped him get his career back on track.
After spending two months in India, McCoy said he wanted to continue improving as a player and understand cricket better. He also said he wanted to climb to the top and help his team win.
"I'm really excited for this season. I think those couple of months (IPL) really got my career back on track, and I just want to continue evolving as a player, understand the game better and just work my way up to the top as much as I can starting with helping my team win the trophy," he said.
He played seven games in IPL 2022 and claimed 11 wickets at an average of 21.55 and an economy of 14.09. In his last ten T20I matches with Rajasthan Royals (RR), he claimed 16 wickets. McCoy's match-winning performances contributed to Rajasthan qualifying for the playoffs.
The 25-year-old represented RR in the 2022 IPL season after previously playing for St. Lucia Kings. He is now set to play for the Barbados Royals, whom he previously represented in the inaugural season of THE 6IXTY.
"It's obviously a new franchise for me but I've settled well into the team because there are a lot of familiar faces in our camp,” he said.
“It's like a continuation from the IPL itself, and I am glad that the franchise has again put their faith in me. I feel at home here and that helps me in approaching games with confidence.”
He and the Royals will play their first game of the season in the tenth edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) against St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots on September 2.
Gearing up for CPL
McCoy missed out on an opportunity to win the IPL trophy early this year, which made him more determined to win the CPL.
“With wickets in the Caribbean, you know that the majority will be spin tracks, so I think that will play a role,” he said.
“I think for batters it will be about getting in and making the most of it, while for the bowling team, the middle overs will be crucial. Having said that, we need to tick all the boxes and adjust to the conditions each time we go out there.”
The Royals will have a new captain, David Miller, who will be joining the team later in the tournament. Kyle Mayers serves as his deputy in his absence. Miller previously played for Gujarat Titans and defeated McCoy while he was with RR in the IPL 2022 Final. McCoy said he and Miller “will definitely have a chat about it, but he (Miller) was in great form and credit to him.”
“Well, I don’t put pressure on myself. At the end of the day, it’s about trusting my abilities and executing,” he said.
“When I’m on a cricket field, I don’t think about the outside noise. I just let my skills do the talking. I don’t try to think too much about taking wickets, and my aim is to just contain and put pressure, it’s inevitable for the wickets to come after that.”
