We are all geared up for our first match

We face the last years winners, Deccan Chargers, in our first match. Though they are the defending champions I am pretty sure they will have to start from scratch like any other team in this tournament.

The four overseas cricketers for the Chargers are Andrew Symonds, Herschelle Gibbs, Chaminda Vaas and skipper Adam Gilchrist, some fire-power in that line-up! Gilli and company must be happy to be playing their home matches away from Hyderabad because they have a horrible record at home. Out of the nine matches they played at their home, they have won none, which would have definitely had a bearing on their mind had they been playing there this year also. Maybe the change of 'home' will bring better luck to Gilchrist and company in the new season.

The DY Patil stadium is a treat to the eye. I had never seen it beforeand I was pleasantly surprised by the first look of the stadium. The wicket has been newly relaid, the person in-charge of the 22 yards is an ex-international and my one time colleague Abbey Kuruvilla. I am sure he will be providing us a wicket which will have just the right kind of bounce and carry to facilitate both the fast bowlers and the stroke-makers. A good pitch with even pace and bounce, at times, evens out the contest.

We do have a bowling which can exploit any given condition. There is a group of fast bowlers, who I am sure will generate pace on any sort of wicket. As a captain I am very much looking up to them to provide early break-throughs. We really have prepared well for this year’s tournament. We not only practised round the year, but have also proceeded carefully and cautiously in spotting a few talented Indian youngsters.

The likes of Manoj Tewari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Dinda and Murali Karthik have a fantastic platform for themselves.

Professional Management Group