Cricketers love to wear designer clothes. The franchise that successfully bid for the Kochi team chose orange-purple colours for the Tuskers team that has hardly appealed to the fans.
Skipper Mahela Jayawardene after a three-season stint with Kings XI Punjab, appeared least bothered by such trivia on a day when his team brought down the locals.
But he said: “I like the colour. It stands out. It brings out the best in you. We didn't have many options as most of the teams had chosen their colours, so we went for the brightest. It suits Murali and a lot of other guys in the team.''
Sitting alongside Ravindra Jadeja, the Sri Lankan — who played his part, taking up the challenge straightaway with Brendon McCullum — was pleased with the eight-wicket win over Mumbai Indians.
“It was a good win. We were pretty close in the last two games. It's good to finish the game off and it's a big win over Mumbai Indians.”By opening the innings, Jayawardene sent a message that he was ready to face his Lankan teammate Lasith Malinga's opening spell. “The wicket was wet. The start against Malinga was crucial. We had to negotiate him. I knew what was coming (Malinga's second spell). I knew how to play it, but missed it. It was a crucial moment of the match.'' Tendulkar, looking sullen right throughout the press conference, said the teams matched each other in the bowling and batting departments. “They were better while fielding. We missed opportunities. We need to make sure we don't repeat those mistakes.
“We thought anywhere between 160-165 was a good total, as the wicket appeared sticky, the ball seamed around a bit initially. McCullum was dropped first ball itself. These things happen and that's why you say catches win matches.”The Mumbai Indians captain lavished praise on Ambati Rayudu. “I always felt he had the talent and all the shots in the book. I have always thought very highly of him. The first time I heard of him (from V.V.S. Laxman) was when he was an under-19 player for India.”
