Vinay Kumar. (TOI Photo)

KOLKATA: Experienced pacer R Vinay Kumar is ready to guide the youngsters as he returns to his old franchise Kolkata Knight Riders in this IPL. The KKR have a new-look outfit this time that boosts of a number of young guns like three members of the U-19 World Cup winning team - Shivam Mavi, Shubman Gill and Kamlesh Nagarkoti.

Vinay Kumar is optimistic about them putting up a good show in the upcoming season. "They (the youngsters) have not played any IPL matches but that doesn't mean that they are no good. I feel the youngsters will bring in more energy on the field. They are good enough and that's where they are here," the pacer said after a team's practice session at the JU campus ground on Thursday.

Talking about his own role, he said "Whatever I've learnt I want to share with them so that these guys are in a right frame of mind to deliver. I will give them the right space to do well."

At the same time he pointed out "we have a very good bowling lineup with (Mitchell) Starc, (Sunil) Narine, (Mitchell) Johnson, I'm really excited." The pacer is happy to be back with KKR after four years. "It's a great feeling coming back. I was a part of KKR four years back when we won the tournament. So I have happy memories with the side," he stated.

The Karnataka player is confident that the new KKR skipper will lead from the front. The Kolkata outfit did not retain their two-time IPL winning skipper Gautam Gambhir and handed the baton to Dinesh Karthik this year.

Karthik had played for five different teams -- Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and most recently Gujarat Lions in different editions of the IPL so far.

"He's (Karthik) really a good guy. I've played most of my cricket with or against him. He will definitely do well for KKR. I look forward to playing under him," he stated.

Talking about Karthik's leadership qualities, Vinay Kumar said "It's true he did not lead many matches for Tamil Nadu, but that does not mean he's not a good leader. I feel he's a very good leader. We have many seniors in the side who will all help each other."

He pointed out the wicketkeeper-batsman's recent show in tri-nation T20 series final in Sri Lanka where he hit an eight-ball unbeaten 29 to take India home.

"From nowhere he took the game and finished the game. It's a great knock," Vinay Kumar said.

The veteran also gave thumbs up to Decision Review System (DRS) which will be introduced for the first time in this IPL. "It will be good. In the Ranji Trophy often teams suffered due to poor umpiring. I don't really blame the umpires, they are humans. But DRS will surely help," he felt.

