Doug Bollinger (Man-of-the-Match in the semifinal against Deccan Chargers on Thursday) has said it's a great opportunity for him to play his first IPL final.
Having been part of the NSW team that won the inaugural Champions League T20 in Hyderabad last October, Bollinger is excited at the prospect of winning the IPL with Chennai Super Kings.
Bollinger who joined the CSK team in the first week of April after the Test series against New Zealand said: “It's come pretty quick hasn't it? But, it's been great; Chennai has been great company, a great cricket team, all the guys have been great. And they have welcomed me in and here we are. It's been a great competition, the fans have been great.''
Ups and downs
Reacting to the quality of the pitch that did not earn big marks from the rival captain Adam Gilchrist, the Australian left-arm seamer said: “Well, it was a good wicket, had a bit of bounce in it. It was really good early. They bowled well. We played some bad shots. But that's cricket. That's why we love and hate the game a bit.
“I think when we went out and bowled, the wicket was a bit slow and it turned. For us, with the fielding and bowling, it was all about attitude. We just went out there with nothing to lose and just enjoyed it. I think that's why we did well because we enjoyed it and just went out and played the game. It's worked out in our favour.”
When asked about his second four-wicket haul, he said “I'm happy to get ones and twos. But four for 13 is a great achievement for me. Hopefully I can keep getting that. I think it just comes down to enjoying my cricket.
“Getting four is brilliant, I really enjoyed my time. I think it's just adapting to the wicket. Obviously with Chennai it's got a bit of pace and bounce so you can use that. But if it's like Delhi, you have just got to bowl a bit straighter and hit the wicket a bit harder.
“I think that's the great thing about wickets all around the world. It was different when we played in New Zealand. Every wicket was different. And here it's been as well. It's just that every player has to adapt their game and to the conditions.”
All praise for Dhoni
Bollinger was all praise for M.S. Dhoni: “Mahi is a great captain and a great player. And he grabbed the bull by the horns against Punjab XI. He didn't get as many runs in this game, but he led as a captain should and everyone just followed him. And that's why we won. I think he has been a great captain, a great person for me and for the rest of the team.”
Looking forward to the title match on Sunday, Bollinger said that CSK has a good chance. “I think we have to just go out there and back our ability as if there's nothing to lose.
“Mumbai Indians have got a great team, but I am sure we can match them like we have done before. So we are going to go out there and give it everything.''
About the CSK team and the IPL he said: “Every country is combined in the IPL. Half of the guys in the team, I have never met before. And they have turned out to be great blokes and great players. I think that's a great thing for IPL cricket and world cricket.
“You are playing with all these guys that you are normally playing against. And now they are in your team. I think that's fantastic. And I think that's why everyone's enjoying each other's success.”
