Sourav Ganguly
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Indian Premier League 2010
No room for complacency
Sourav Ganguly, the Kolkata Knight Riders captain, on winning their second consecutive game and assessing their next opponents Chennai Super Kings
Sourav Ganguly
March 16, 2010
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Two wins in two matches - ample reason to feel confident and happy but we are trying to guard against complacency. This format of the game does not allow you to relax because one small slip-up might suddenly take the momentum away and then it takes a lot of effort to set the house right.
We next play Chennai Super Kings at home. MS Dhoni and his men have started off with a loss and will be trying hard to get back in the tournament with a positive result in the very next match. So we have to be cautious.
Twenty20 cricket has brought in a lot of innovation and Matthew Hayden's 'mongoose bat' is the latest to arrive on the scene. Big man Haydos is himself a huge draw due to his power hitting, and the mongoose bat definitely adds to the attractive package.
The Chennai team has more such colourful characters, Muttiah Muralitharan for example. These are great guys to spend time with off the ground and fierce competitors on it. You give them an inch and they'll take a yard. More of a reason why one doesn't have the luxury of relaxing a single bit, even after two straight wins.
Our first match at home was near perfect. It was a good toss to win and put in Royal Challengers Bangalore. Anil Kumble and his boys were playing their first match and one wanted to catch them offguard. There was bound to be some rust and we wanted to take our chances with that.
The bowlers did a fantastic job and bowled in the areas as was expected of them. Wasim Akram's knowledge and guidance has been a huge helping hand and I strongly believe Ishant Sharma and company will stand to gain big time working under him. Angelo Mathews was once again the pick of the bowlers. His effort in the middle overs has added an edge to our attack. It will be tough on the body for these guys, coming out and playing every second day. Our support team, Andrew Leipus and Adrian Le Roux, will have a crucial role to play in keeping the boys fresh.
Chasing a comparatively small total can be very tricky. You tend to become a bit soft in the mind, thinking that it's just a matter of time. But Brad Hodge and Manoj Tiwary didn't allow any slip-ups. Brad was his mature self and Manoj the exuberant one. I have always believed he has the talent to make one sit up and take notice. If he can continue the way he played on Sunday, this IPL could give his career a new impetus.
The two wins will definitely improve the team's confidence and that should come in handy in crunch situations later in the tournament. Till now it has been good team work. In Mumbai, Mathews and Owais Shah got together to pull us out of the rut. In the second match, Brad and Manoj allowed no hiccups, with the bowlers chipping in effectively in the first half. This is what is required if you want to achieve bigger goals. You need guys in the team who will put up their hands and want to be counted. That is what that gets a team ticking.
We will be joined by Shane Bond, Chris Gayle and David Hussey in a few days' time. The competition off the ground will definitely get tighter but we don't mind it, as long we keep delivering on the field.
(Professional Management Group)
Sourav Ganguly led India in 49 Tests between 2000 and 2005, winning 21
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Sourav Ganguly
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KKR will be in a trouble as Gayle and Mcullum return as they would have to choose between one of them to play, as Mathews, Bond and Hodge are unlikely to be dropped for any match. Only spot I see is Owais Shah who too batted undoubtedly well in the first game.
Posted by Sribatsha on (March 16 2010, 17:13 PM GMT)Dada was a good story, the hero matches no where in this competive world now, he can be a good coach and motivator, but somewhere everyone in this world only likes a hero.... not a crawling cockroach.......a running cockroach although a nuisance but a running cockroach is a sport to watch. *** I Loved You Dada, so i write this***
Posted bywasim akram will definitely help KKR in becoming good bowling side.In the last season also KKR was having good bowling unit but they didnt bowled well.Actually they were not guuided well.But this time dada is captain and i am sure he will handle bowlers with great skill.brendon will be huge asset for KKR . "BEST OF LUCK DADA AND TEAM "
Posted byWhat I have seen is you have been a good motivator of the youngsters. However, some of the guys in your team do have a strong ego and have been handling higher responsibilities back home. Gonna be interesting to see how much they can be motivated and united for a common cause under you. You do have a few good bowling and batting options. All the best for you guyz to produce a good synergy and win the remaining matches. I am waiting to see how KKR is gonna perform aginst the other teams.
Posted by Shankarcps on (March 16 2010, 11:19 AM GMT)Good win dada.. I wish a good luck for our KKR for the forthcoming matches in this tournament.I know your captaincy will definitly bring victory for us. Keep doing good job with wasim bhai and pick the player who r most suitable for the day of playing.If possible give a rest for Matthews and pick pick david instead of him after the arrival.But matthews will be the key for our team througout the tournament.
Posted byChennai may skip Murali and go for Tissara Perera..since Kolkata pitch doesnt assist spinners in this format....
Posted byThe way, dada hits six off Dale Steyn in the last match, remind me of the old days. KKR is not fluke in this season and the world will get to know this. I am dying to see Gayle and McCullam to open. Full credit to Wasim to get Ishant back on track.
Posted bycommon KKR ::D Please Qualify till semi atleast :D
Posted byCSK really need Hayden and his Mongoose to fire, and I don't think Justin Kemp should give way to anyone else. He played well, getting 22 and some tight bowling.the problem with Chennai was that they were losing wickets too fast. And the bowling too- really need some quality pacers. Sudeep Tyagi needs to concentrate on his line and length and the same for Lakshmipathy Balaji. But the spinners viz. Muttiah Muralidharan and Ravichandran Ashwin did quite a good job. The fielding too was not too bad, but, of course, as M.S. Dhoni always says (and rightly so)- always room for improvement. If CSK can concentrate on these vital things, I'm sure CSK will absolutely STEAMROLLER and THUMP the Kolkata Knight Riders. Ardently looking forward to the match!
Posted byThats right Sourav!!! this is a cruel format ... u blink your eyes and game is gone.. u have to be switched on all the time.. the good news is that KKR are hungry and it is evident that each member of the team wants to perform and be counted and that says a lot about the atmosphere you have created..it all about giving the space to each individual and letting them know how important everyone is for the operation of team. Winning is all about consistency!!doing the basics right every single time when you go to park.. as you have mentioned , its not about one individual , its about the team and whole outfit seems to be out to say Together Everyone Achieve More!!! i m sure that KKR will go from strength to strength.. and every match will witness a new match winner