Even though the West Indies were thrashed in the first ODI of the three-match series, Akeal Hosein’s bowling was one of their few positives in last Sunday’s game.

Having impressed in the preceding home T20Is versus England, a series which the Windies won 3-2, Akeal did manage to beat the Indian batsmen’s bat on a few occasions in the previous game. With barely three days to go for the IPL auction in Bangalore, the 28-year-old slow left-arm orthodox is aware that faring well in the remaining two ODIs could well go on to earn him a lucrative contract.

“Yes, we know the IPL is the best league around. But I’m not really focused on that. The task at hand right now is these two ODIs, which are very important because they will determine the series,” Akeal said on the eve of the second ODI in Ahmedabad.

“Having said that, I think once I do the right things and perform well for my team, the doors will open. But for me at the moment, it’s all about these two games and winning the ODI series,” he added.

Narine role

Akeal was a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders net bowling squad during the second phase of the IPL in the UAE last year. The role that fellow Trinidadian Sunil Narine, also KKR’s premier spinner, played during the stint turned out to be very helpful for Akeal.

“For me, having the opportunity to spend more time with Sunil in the KKR set-up helped me a lot because the (T20) World Cup too was played in the UAE,” Akeal said.

“Sunil is not only a friend to me, but a big brother. He’s very quiet, but very open at the same time. He would share almost everything with all his tricks and ideas. And if he thinks it’s a trick that doesn’t work for him, he will definitely share that with me as well.”

Narine’s advice also benefited Akeal a great deal during the T20 World Cup, the left-armer added, as he finished as the Windies’ top wicket-taker with five scalps.