The heartbreak against Mumbai Indians notwithstanding, Kings XI Punjab mentor Adam Gilchrist was optimistic of an improved performance on Saturday against Chennai Super Kings on a Chepauk surface he described as “dry and pretty good for batting”.
“We are at the halfway point in the tournament and the run home is going to be difficult from where we are. It's a challenge but we want to improve and head in the right direction. So it's an important game against the defending champions that probably says enough about how big a game it is,” Gilchrist told the media on Friday.
The former Australian ‘keeper confirmed he wasn't fully fit yet and David Hussey would continue to lead the team. “I can't really put a date [on when I recover from my injury] but it's progressed well in the last few days.”
Gilchrist was happy with the solidity displayed by his side's batting unit. “We have improved in the last three games. Mandeep [Singh] and Nitin Saini at the top have given consistent starts. Our batters may not have produced big scores but they have strung together good performances.”
He was also pleased with Azhar Mahmood's “positive experience.” “He brings in a lot of experience, knowledge and preparedness. He's coming in with eagerness to participate and share his knowledge.”
Strategic selection
Later in the evening, Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming – by now, a constant presence at his team's media interactions – placed emphasis on strategic selection. “In the last game [Nuwan] Kulasekara retained his spot and we got [Albie] Morkel instead of Doug Bollinger. It's a big call but it's about picking the right player for the occasion. The team we put up is full of the best Indian players and the four foreigners who complement the seven Indians.”
Fleming, who admitted to being “confused” with the pitch used for the inaugural match of the IPL, was satisfied that the wicket had settled down. “We weren't sure how it was going to play. As it has turned out, the pitch has gained some characteristics that we have come to know and love in the previous two years.”
The Kiwi also lauded his side's bowling effort at the death.
“We think it's a very important part of the match. We have allocated a lot of time to get better at it and we are pleased to say that the fruits of our labour are we are getting better at it. [Dwayne] Bravo is the guy who has trained really hard at it and he's doing the job for us.”
