Daniel Vettori attributed Royal Challengers Bangalore's undesirable beginnings to recent tournaments to the side's fielding, feeling that it hadn't been up to scratch.
RCB opened its campaign in October's Champions League T20 tournament with two defeats on the spin, while managing only one win in its first five games in IPL-IV.
This time, however, with greater attention having been paid to fielding, the captain said he could hope for a better start.
“It's something we've talked about. Something that let us down at the start of the IPL and the Champions League was our fielding. It wasn't up to the standard that allowed us to win games. Once we sorted that out, we started winning. That's where we've been concentrating on the last few days in training,” Vettori told the press on the eve of RCB's Saturday fixture against Delhi Daredevils.
Expressing faith in the reinforcements to the side ahead of IPL-V, Vettori said RCB wore a more robust look.
“We've made some pretty good improvements to the team — Vinay Kumar is a good bowler, as is, of course, (Muttiah) Muralitharan, while Andrew McDonald brings his all-round skills.
“We've got a number of young Indian guys — like Harshal Patel, who has impressed in the nets — pushing for places as well.”
Chris Gayle, last season's leading scorer and the driving force behind RCB's fine run, had pulled out midway through February's Bangladesh Premier League with a groin injury before skipping South Africa's domestic T20 competition altogether, putting his IPL participation in doubt.
Vettori, while extolling the Jamaican's capabilities, allayed any serious fears over his condition. “He's proved himself to be probably the best T20 batsman in the world. He set himself some pretty high standards last year but we're expecting much the same this year,” he said.
“We know he missed the tournament in South Africa so we're keeping a close eye on him. We'll find out [if he's fit to play] after training today; we're hopeful everyone will be available.”
The New Zealander also hoped the pitch at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium would resemble the one that was in use last season. “I hope the surface is like it was last year,” he said. “That wicket really suited us, particularly our top order batsmen who were phenomenal both in the Champions League and the IPL.”
Daredevils on a high
Meanwhile, Daredevils' Morne Morkel, speaking at the team hotel in the evening, remained positive about his side's chances.
“RCB has a power-packed line-up, but we're confident. The win against KKR, in the absence of David Warner, Kevin Pietersen and Mahela Jayawardene hasgiven us a huge lift.”
The South African also backed captain Virender Sehwag to prosper. “Viru is a class act and he has perhaps saved his best for the IPL,” he said.
