Kolkata: With two wins out of two so far in the Indian Premier League the Kolkota Knight Riders are looking like a formidable unit under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly. The batsman seems to be relishing his role in the new all-action league, but today could prove a real test of his team's credentials as he pits his wits against Indian captain and leader of Chennai Super Kings, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Before the action he spoke exclusively to Gulf News.
GULF NEWS: Why didn't you open the innings against Hyderabad in the second match?
GANGULY: I knew that the captain of the Deccan team, (Venkatasai) Laxman, would bring his spinners in, in the middle of the innings. I wanted to be there when the spinners operated. So, I had to come lower in the order.
What will you do in the next match?
I shall be back at the start of the innings again. In fact, if we had batted first against Hyderabad, I would have batted at the top of the order.
I see you were batting more against the spinners even in the nets. Was there any special reason behind that?
On Indian wickets, spinners will always get some assistance, so you have to be ready to face them and score big against them. Every batsman has to keep this in mind. I am doing the same.
The format of the game demands quick hitting. How are you adapting?
I had never gone for extravagant shots earlier in the innings. Yes, we always try to improvise a thing or two while playing in the one-day matches. But this is completely different and you have to try and score in every delivery, if possible. I've had to adjust quite a few things and I'm working on that.
But while you're chasing you still have to react to changes in the game?
Definitely, you just have a look at the 48-run partnership I made with David Hussey that day against Hyderabad. We had lost a couple of wickets quickly. That was the time to rebuild the innings especially since we didn't have to chase a very big score. If we had tried to go after the bowling then, it could have resulted in panic.
Ricky Ponting and Brendon McCulum are set to leave after four matches. What effect is that going to have?
They will be playing four matches for us, and if we can win those we shall be in a better position to reach the last four.
There was a lot of controversy regarding the state of the wicket in the second match. What are your thoughts?
There was no doubt that the wicket was almost unplayable and it was not at all suitable for a Twenty 20 game. At the same time, I believe it all happened due to shortage of watering. In our next match, if it is watered and rolled, there will be an improvement of more than fifty per cent, I know. So, I' m not worried about it.
Your next opponent is the Chennai Super Kings. What challenge do they pose?
We have to play better to beat them, that is all I know. We are working on our plans to restrict their batsmen. But everything will depend on the day's performances. Both teams are playing well, so, it will be an exciting match.
