Can't believe I'm going to play IPL: Alzarri Joseph

The 22-year-old West Indies speedster Alzarri Joseph has expressed that he could not believe that he is going to play IPL.

Mumbai: West Indies speedster Alzarri Joseph, who was named as a replacement for injured Kiwi pacer Adam Milne has joined Mumbai Indians team on Sunday. The 22-year-old had his first training session with the MI at the Wankhede Stadium.

Alzarri Joseph replace Adam Milne in MI squad.

The inclusion of the sensational fast bowler has given MI team management a tempting option of playing three quality international bowlers against the arch-rivals CSK.

Joseph after joining one of the most prestigious teams of IPL said, “It’s my first time in India, it’s much bigger than what I am accustomed to back home. There are a lot of tall buildings here, from where I come from there are mainly a lot of trees and a lot of water. This is a very established city, I haven’t really seen much but I am going to try and experience it as much as possible and experience India as a whole.”

Joseph rose to limelight after the heroics of the U19 World Cup of 2016 that Windies won beating the Boys in Blue.

Joseph will rub shoulders with some quality international talents like Jasprit Bumrah and Lasitha Malinga.

“I was actually back home and watching IPL, then I got a call from the team manager and it was like ‘Wow, is this real?’ It’s my first time in IPL, with such a big team and such a big reputation. I am just going to come here and give it my all,” Joseph added.

The young fast bowler was praised by former West Indian legends Ian Bishop and Curtly Ambrose.

Joseph has played only seven T20 games so far and has nine wickets to his name with a best of 4/41 and a strike rate of 17. In nine Test matches he has played since his debut against India in 2016, Joseph has taken 25 wickets. He has also played 16 ODIs.