South Africa-born Pietersen clashed with then England coach Peter Moores that eventually cost both of them their jobs. But former South Africa coach Jennings insisted that would not cast shadow on his relation with Pietersen.

“I don’t care a damn what happened with the England job,” said Jennings.

“Kevin and I are on the same wavelength that’s all that matters and I just don’t believe he will behave like people believe he can behave. The important thing is Kev’s the type who likes to prove people wrong.

“He’s like me he likes to push fingers up people’s noses. I understand the guy and where he’s coming from. Whatever his so-called personality weaknesses are, I back him 100 per cent,” he was quoted as saying in the ‘Guardian’.

Jennings said leading England and captaining the Royal Challengers were a different ball game altogether and he respects Pietersen’s intensity.

“People have to understand that there are a different set of permutations out here from what happened with England. I’ve clashed with some of my cricketers before, too, but that’s my style. It doesn’t concern me who he’s clashed with,” Pietersen said. “I believe there absolutely has to be tension within any relationship. If there’s no tension, there’s a lack of respect. I respect Kevin and he respects me. It will be a whole new relationship.” The 54-year-old Jennings said Pietersen has requested for a net session when he touches base in Johannesburg today and has also asked the coach to send him photos of his teammates to cement names and faces ahead of his two-week stint as captain.

“Small things like that convince me he’s going to do well.

“He’s a top professional who plays to win. I like that kind of guy. He also understands South African conditions. It will be tough in that environment but he’s a fighter. He’s got a personality that’s got him to where he is now and he’s not going to change it.”
Source – espnstar.com

“I have not said anything against Gavaskar. I just wanted to have a breathing space to try something new. I have sent him an apology letter if he felt so because he was in America that time,” Shah Rukh said before his departure to South Africa, last night.

He said, “due to the wonderful methodology that television applies, that comment was for people who don’t understand cricket and are still telling me how to run the team.” “If Gavaskar asks me to walk on my head and run the team, I would. Any thing that Gavaskar says that has to do with cricket, if he mentions, should be followed,” the actor said.

The apology comes in wake of Shah Rukh’s criticism of Gavaskar, who had lashed out at KKR coach John Buchanan for his proposal to have multiple captains in the team.

Shahrukh said the controversy had hurt him.

“People are making comments without understanding what the concept of multiple captaincy is,” he said.
Source – espnstar.com

Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan said the captain of his team for the Twenty20 event’s second season in South Africa will be named on April 16, two days before the tournament kicks off.

“We will decide first and announce (the captain) on April 16,” he told television channels.

Shah Rukh, who left for South Africa last night, said that he will return on April 28, to cast his vote on April 30.

“I will go back in the first week of May,” he said.
Source – espnstar.com

For close to a year now, Sharma has been hailed as one of the most talented youngsters in Indian cricket. Stylish and elegant to watch, the right handed batsman was one of the few bright sparks for the Hyderabad IPL team last year in the first edition when his more distinguished colleagues failed to get going.

However, Sharma does not think there would be any pressure on him to shine bright again: “There is no pressure on me. Yes, it was a challenge for me last year but I would be focussing on the IPL in South Africa.

“A different venue would mean some adjustments but I am confident.”

In fact, Sharma said last year’s experience in the IPL would help him continue with the good show.

Gritty and determined batting ensured some good runs for him on the IPL scoreboard last year.

The young batsman would remember South Africa for more reasons than one. It was there, during India’s Twenty20 World Championship triumph in 2007 that Sharma announced his arrival in world cricket with a bang.

Not many Indian cricket fans would forget his scintillating fifty against South Africa in a league game and his breezy partnership with Indian skipper MS Dhoni that eventually helped the team win.

“Yes, I played the T20 World Cup in South Africa and that experience would help me. Some of my colleaugues have also given me an update of the wickets in South Africa.”

Sharma believes Adam Gilchrist, who stepped into lead the side after local hero VVS Laxman was sidelined with an injury, did not get enough support.

The likes of Herschelle Gibbs, Scott Styris, Shahid Afridi were huge disappointments with the bat and the Deccan Chargers despite a star studded line up finishes bottom of the pile.

After the first edition of the IPL, Gilchrist was officially appointed the captain of the Deccan Chargers, replacing their icon player, V V S Laxman.

However, Sharma said the change in captaincy does not bother him at all.

“Gilly has done well for Australia and he has had a great record as player. The captaincy does not bother me at all. It is all about performing in the middle.”
Source – espnstar.com

The young leg spinner said that he is not thinking about the Twenty20 World Championship now. He said he would rather focus on the job at hand and that is the IPL.

“IPL starts very soon. There is no point in thinking about the T20 World Cup which is still a couple of months away. I am working really hard for the IPL and would like to prove my worth as a player there.

“If I do well in the IPL that would surely put me in the good books of the selectors. Since the IPL is so close to the T20 World Cup it gives everyone a golden chance to prove their worth, and I would be trying to do the same,” Chawla said.

Chawla who had a decent IPL stint last year both with the bat and the ball was well aware of the increased responsibilities this year, since the team would be missing the services of both their new ball bowlers, Brett Lee and S. Sreesanth.

“Yes, those guys won’t be there and that would surely impact the team this time. But then we have a good batting line-up and they would surely come up with good performances.

“Then we have other new ball bowlers like Irfan Pathan who has done well in South Africa and he alongside the others will surely come up with good performances.

“I know my responsibility would increase this time and I would try to live upto expectations,” said the leggie who picked up 17 wickets in the tournament’s first season giving away runs at an economy rate of 8.37.

Chawla has been in and out of the Indian side since the last two years. And now with Amit Mishra having made a decent name in the Indian side, it has become increasingly difficult for the young leggie to mark his place. But the 20-year-old, who has not had a very good Test and ODI stint so far in his career is very confident that he would make it sometime sooner.

“I am working hard on my bowling. I have been trying to do a few different things. Right now its a tad difficult since the team is doing really well and everyone is performing really good in the side. But then my job is to bowl well in the opportunities provided to me. I am doing that and waiting for my opportunity,” said the leg-spinner who was once hailed as the leg-spinner who would replace Anil Kumble in the Indian side.
Source – espnstar.com