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Indian Premier League
I'll quit if we don't make semis - McCullum
Sriram Veera
April 28, 2009
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News : Buchanan backs under-fire skipper McCullum
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Sourav Ganguly
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Indian Premier League
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Brendon McCullum has reiterated his stand of resigning as captain of Kolkata Knight Riders if the team doesn't reach the semi-finals of the current IPL tournament. He also said the toughest thing he was facing as a captain was his own poor form.
"I think every captain should be accountable for the results," McCullum said, echoing his statements after Kolkata's heavy defeat to Mumbai Indians on Monday. "You just can't drift along the journey; there is no accountability behind it. My job as a captain is to inspire the team and be competitive. If I can't inspire this bunch of talented people and reach the semi-finals then, yes, I will resign."
McCullum has presided over a woeful run for Kolkata - one win and one no result yielding three points in five games - and he believes it's down to a poor performance in the first six overs with bat and ball. "We are failing to do any damage in the top six overs either way. We haven't taken wickets at the start and we haven't scored much runs at the top. We are always been behind the game. Hopefully I will start scoring and get that right."
McCullum said that his lack of runs as a batsman has been tough for him to handle as a captain. "It's tough when you are delivering messages to the team. You don't have individual performances to stack up behind those talks. But you have to put aside individual disappointments and concentrate on what the team needs to do. If I can get the runs, though, and help these individuals it would be nice."
Has the captaincy affected his batting? "Well ... I haven't gone past two overs! So I can't say that. When I go into bat, I am not thinking about captaincy. For me batting is enjoyment and fun. I don't play with that kind of responsibility when I go out."
There is a clear difference, he says, between being a player and being a captain. "It hurts more when you lose as a captain. Twenty times more! It's just incredibly disappointing; it's tough."
For all the difficulties associated with the captaincy, McCullum appreciates the mental challenge. "The best part of it is, you get an opportunity to use your ideas and strategies on the game. When you walk off the park you know you have had the opportunity or making a mark on the game, win or lose."
McCullum inherits the captaincy from Sourav Ganguly, the team's icon player, and amid some controversy over the "multiple captaincy" theory. It could have been easier had he taken over from someone with less of an emotional hold on the team and the city - a Dravid, perhaps, or a Kallis. McCullum, however, denies any additional pressue on that account. "Sourav has been fantastic. I haven't take notice of the controversy.. I am a very competitive guy, and I'm passionate about playing for this side. It's an honour to lead a side with talents like this. I am not bothered about the captaincy controversy."
Sriram Veera is a staff writer at Cricinfo
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© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
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i really feel sorry for Kolkata Knight Riders.i am a big fan of it.I think shahrukh khan shoud buy some international and indian t20 specialist players because they haven't any player except 3 or 4. all the indian player that he bought isn't good as other team have. so he should buy now some good players so that kkr can play till semi.thanks
Posted by sammykent on (May 01 2009, 02:47 AM GMT)Can I also say that I agree very much with anilXI. McCullum should put himself down the order at around four or five. Sourav would provide some stability whilst Gayle goes nuts and then McCullum could come in down the order to hit out. T20 is about strike rates not individual scores. A team can lose nine wickets and still post a great total if everyone scores at better than 1.5 runs per ball. Smith proved that with his scintilating 48 at about a 185 strike rate that got Deccan back into the game last night. They still lost but it gave them a chance and made it interesting. McCullum should probably be in Smith/Pathan role where late runs are needed in the second half of the game.
Posted by sammykent on (May 01 2009, 02:38 AM GMT)I hope Baz gets some form soon. On paper I think the Knight Riders are a devastating team. With Gayle and McCullum opening and Hodge at three I felt sure they would be the team to beat before the series. The difference could well be in the South African wickets though with four of the five best batsmen to date all being the experienced old hands. If they can live up to their potential they will be a force. The clock is ticking though they need a run of wins.....just like my indoor team.
Posted by Shankarcps on (April 30 2009, 05:57 AM GMT)I think Mccullam is under pressure due to his poor batting and his team is also adding insult to the injury I think bucchanan's muti captaincy theory had hurt all in the side just giving 1 or 2 games to players like banger and chopra after that sending back is also a wrong decision I will wrong the team owner also because not believing on indians and giving captaincy to some others this time i am sure that the team which lead by an indian captain will win
Posted by gSarkar on (April 29 2009, 14:43 PM GMT)He is playing under pressure because of his unwanted captaincy. JB and SRK please make him free so that he can hit those sixes again.
Posted by Crikgeek on (April 29 2009, 14:13 PM GMT)"I'll quit if we don't make semis - McCullum"....makes no sense. If they don't make the semis they will be naturally out of the tournament then what's the use of quitting. Gayle would have been a better captain.
Posted by kirankerai on (April 29 2009, 11:51 AM GMT)he is the best international t-20 player in world but needs captaincy experience though
Posted by ashishkdwivedi on (April 29 2009, 10:28 AM GMT)so far McCullum has played only 1 innings to remember 158 - that was last year... apart from that i dont even remember - why he was made the captain - he shuold have been played as a player licensed to kill...nooo... HIT !!!
Posted by bsguddu on (April 29 2009, 10:17 AM GMT)brendon maccullum :- u guys r make him larger than life the so called power house bombastic t20 player i will question to u that is he realy is that kind of player apart from one match against banglore : i think he is not please answer this question
Posted by Sunman81 on (April 29 2009, 09:41 AM GMT)We can expect a new captain then....But very soon Mr. Sharukh and Buchanan will work on a new theory to play matches without any Captains. Guys don't get surprised if it happens...