Gilchrist is a captain for IPL 2009 Deccan Chargers. Click on image to enlarge
Ishant Supports Multi-Captain Theory
Kolkata Knight Riders pace spearhead Ishant Sharma has supported his coach John Buchanan’s multi-captaincy idea.
Ishant said the innovative theory could actually help his Indian Premier League side do well in the second season.
Sourav Ganguly was not amused with the idea but Ishant said there was no harm in having four captains as their different ideas could help the team overcome last year’s failure.
“Sourav Ganguly is a good captain but sometimes you need new ideas which Buchannan theory can generate,” he told News24 Channel.
“Buchannan is a very good coach and bit of support from other players can turn the things around for KKR,” he said.
The lanky fast bowler said his IPL side will miss the services of experience Australia captain Ricky Ponting and Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar.
Source – espnstar.com
Punjab Hope To Break Even Next Year
IPL franchise outfit Kings XI Punjab expect to break even in 2010 after this year’s Twenty20 event could not be held at home.
The second edition of the IPL was shifted to South Africa after the T20 extravagnaza clashed with the general elections.
“We hoped to break even this year before the tournament was shifted to South Africa. By next year we will be very close to break even,” industrialist Mohit Burman, one of the co-owners of the team told a media conference at a function organised to announce team’s title sponsors ‘Emirates’.
Besides Emirates, with whom they have tied up multi-million dollar deal for three years, Kings XI have also tied-up with Gulf Oil, Nimbooz, Netlinkblue, Reebok, Springbok International, Royal Challenge, Dabur Glucose D and Orbit.
More sponsors this time
The number of sponsors for Kings XI this year is more than what they had got last year which was the then highest among all the eight franchise outfits, it was announced.
But getting these sponsors on board this year was a struggle because of the economic downturn, admitted Bollywood actress and co-owner Preity Zinta.
“A lot of deals we were planning got affected. We were close to signing up a few sponsors which got canceled as the event was shifted to South Africa. However, as they say everything happens for the best and we have some top brands on our T-shirt”, she said.
Source – espnstar.com
“Munaf, Tait Can Fill In For Tanvir”
“Munaf (Patel) did a good job last year. Sidharth Dwivedi is also there and then we also have Shaun Tait this year, so overall I think we would be able to cover up well for Tanvir though I must say he did exceptionally well last year,” Salunkhe said.
Salunkhe who would primarily be in the side as a leg-spinning all-rounder who can use the long handle when the need arises said that he would be looking to bowl a tidy line and length and would primarily focus on control.
“Right line would be crucial”
He said that conditions in South Africa would not assist spinners much and that is why landing the ball in the right areas would be the key.
“South African conditions would not assist spinners so I would try to bowl a good line and length. Control would be the key and I am looking forward to the challenge,” he said.
Salunkhe who plays for Mumbai in the domestic circuit then spoke about his relationship with skipper Shane Warne and what he learnt from the wizard of spin during the IPL’s first edition.
The Mahela dismissal
He also narrated the famous Mahela Jayawardene dismissal during their match against Kings XI Punjab.
“Warne got rid of Kumar Sangakkara and then when I went to congratulate him he asked me to get Jayawardene’s wicket. I was surprised but then he told me what to do and I finally lapped up the wicket”.
“He is a master of the game. He has taught me a lot of things like the slider, the winning attitude, confidence.”
“The only thing which the skipper said was to go and get the batsmen. ‘Do not think about anything else.’ He gave so much confidence that each of us wanted to deliver more than our abilities,” said Salunkhe.
“We are under no pressure”
Salunkhe who has played six T20 matches and has picked up a wicket with a not so impressive economy rate of 9.75 said that the team is under no pressure, though they are the defending champions.
“We will play with the same kind of attitude and would definitely do well this time again,” he said.
Speaking about his career, the 27-year-old said that the IPL matured him as a player.
“I was a novice cricketer when I won the ‘Cricket Star’ competition and was sent to Leicestershire to train but now after the IPL I have learnt a lot and I think I have matured a lot as a cricketer as well. Playing with such biggies and sharing dressing room with players like Warne and Graeme Smith has certainly helped,” concluded the all-rounder.
Source – espnstar.com