No such thing as an underdog

The Champions League is finally underway, and what a victory to start with for the Highveld Lions! Their determination and enthusiasm really got them going, though their execution of the basics was what finally gave them the upper hand. Going into the game, Mumbai Indians would have been the favorites, but this victory once again shows that anything can happen in Twenty20 cricket and the term ‘underdog’ is simply not applicable.

I remember last year’s tournament, when we opened against the Cape Cobras at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, and after posting a score in excess of 180 we still went and lost the game - JP Duminy played a blistering innings. So I can sympathise with Mumbai because I know how it feels to lose a game after everyone had expected you to walk it.

I think that this is the beauty of T20 cricket, as it really requires a team to be on top form to win a game. As the games are so short, there really is no margin for error, and the team that executes the basics better on the day is going to most likely end up victorious.

So before the Mumbai-Lions game started, we as a management team decided that the whole squad should watch the game together. Not only to watch two future opponents, but also to bring the lads closer. It’s really important that when you are only together for such a short period during the year, you make the most of the time you have to develop a sense of unity. Many of our cricketers play for a number of different teams, be it national sides, state sides or counties, so it becomes imperative that they come together as a group for the duration of the tournament.

It was also Manish’s [Pandey] 21st birthday, so we cut a huge chocolate cake for him. Robin [Uthappa], Virat [Kohli] and Vinay [Kumar] all made sure that Manish got a full taste of the flavour by covering his face in the cake - a very amusing sight!

I also had the pleasure of meeting Jonathan Foo, the 19-year-old sensation from Guyana. He is the first Chinese cricketer to play at this level, and he really is one to watch out for in the future. I look forward to seeing him in action against us on Sunday.

Anyway, that’s about it for now. I’m watching the Chennai Super Kings v Central Stags game as I type, so will let you know my thoughts on it later.