We don't want to use pitch as an excuse: Vettori

Team has players who can adapt to conditions, feels RCB coach

Royal Challengers Bangalore coach Daniel Vettori hoped his team isn't "tarnished by the baggage of last year" when they finished at the bottom of the heap, their worst performance in 10 completed editions of IPL.

"Definitely, we had a lot of injuries last year with players in and out, so the performance wasn't that good," said the Kiwi when asked if his side looks more stable now. "I think it's two completely different seasons because with the squad that we have got now. We have only got six guys returning and those six guys were integral parts of our team, albeit some of them were injured throughout the season. We look at this as a fresh season, hopefully no one is tarnished with the baggage of last year and we go in with our eyes wide open."

The pitch last year was slow and low and RCB struggled to adjust having gotten used to batting strips the previous few seasons. Vettori, however, said it wasn't an excuse they would offer for their poor show and that their strategy during the January auction was to target players who can perform on any surface.

"You always judge it after you have played on it," he said when asked about the reworked pitch. "The reflection after last season was that it wasn't the wicket we are used to, but two teams played on it and the other team won more often than not. I don't think we want to use the pitch as an excuse. We need to be adaptable and that was part of our selection criteria at the auction. We need guys who could perform in any conditions, not a 200 or 220-run Chinnaswamy wicket. We have got a group of guys who are really adaptable. Obviously after the game we will be able to judge and analyse it and see where we stand with the wicket," he offered.

Asked if Virat Kohli would continue to bat at No 3, the former New Zealand skipper felt the team had to be flexible and dynamic throughout the season. "The reason we wanted Brendon (McCullum) and Quinton de Kock at the top was because they are so dynamic in the Power Play and then AB can take over in the middle stages. That's the early thinking in the game. We like Quinton's all-round game and Brendon did a really good job in the first game. At this stage, that is the plan but it can all change," he pointed out.