Kolkata Knight Riders’ coach John Buchanan at a city hotel on Monday. A Telegraph picture

Calcutta: John Buchanan’s If Better Is Possible has recently been released and appears to be doing quite well. The same, though, can’t be said of the team he’s coaching at present — the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Buchanan, clearly, has much on his plate and it’s to be seen whether the fiery Shoaib Akhtar’s presence lessens his headache.

On Monday evening, some hours before Shoaib’s dramatic arrival here, Buchanan spoke to The Telegraph exclusively about the quick.

The following are excerpts

On the general belief that handling Shoaib is the biggest challenge for coaches

(Grins) I’m approaching the task with an open mind… Obviously, Shoaib has a reputation, not only on the field but off it too… There are rules in place and there are ways in which the team has been operating… The rules are the same for everybody and there won’t be exceptions, no matter who you are. As long as Shoaib understands what’s in place and abides by the rules, there shouldn’t be any drama.

Any interaction with Shoaib which comes to mind readily

I don’t think we’ve ever had a lengthy chat.

Shoaib having been off competitive cricket for months

I talked to (Pakistan coach) Geoff Lawson around the start of the IPL and he said that Shoaib hadn’t been fitter… He brings pace to the table and is possibly one of those players who could emerge a Twenty20 specialist… That’s because Shoaib won’t have to bowl more than four overs… He could just run in for those four overs and make an impact.

The role he has in mind for Shoaib

Look, pace is pretty important… One of the things we’re looking for in the team is for somebody to stand up and have a presence… We could get that out of somebody like a Brad Hodge or a Salman Butt… Equally, someone like Shoaib brings a presence… Whether he plays or not, there’s a real buzz around him.

Not playing to the galleries on the issue of Shoaib’s availability for Thursday’s match against the Bangalore Royal Challengers

There are a number of reasons why I’ve announced he won’t be in the XI that day… For one, he hasn’t played for a while and his fitness has to be assessed by (Andrew) Leipus… Then, to include him, I’d probably have to drop Umar Gul… But, then, Gul has begun to hit the straps and I’d like to keep him in the XI for as long as possible… A whole range of reasons really.

A stand-out Shoaib performance which he remembers

It was a day-night ODI in Brisbane… I can’t recall the figures but I do remember that he picked out Australia’s top-order… Shoaib had been lightning quick that day.

What he’ll be conveying to Shoaib

That these are my expectations from you and I’m sure you’ve got expectations of me… That this is how the team operates… That these are the values we hold dear… Welcome to the Knight Riders, but there are no special rules for anybody.

His message to the Ashok Dindas, who could begin to feel insecure with the arrival of a megastar

That a new member of the family has just arrived and we need to welcome him… That both will need some time getting used to each other… If somebody does feel insecure, hopefully, that feeling will go away quickly… Shoaib’s is a late inclusion… It’s not the best time, but all of us have to deal with it.

Finally, thoughts on Thursday’s face-off at the Eden

(Smiles) Let’s say I’m quietly confident.