‘We’ll take it game by game’

The loss of Lasith Malinga to the Mumbai Indians was bad enough.

Making matters worse for Southern Express was Tillakaratne Dilshan’s decision not to take part in the OPPO Champions League Twenty20, which begins with the qualifiers here from Saturday.

 Dilshan, the patent holder of the ‘Dilscoop,’ cited personal reasons for pulling out.

“Even we got to know a little while ago,” said Jehan Mubarak, vice-captain to Malinga and then Dilshan, at a press conference on Thursday.

Mubarak, swiftly inducted as stand-in skipper, stepped up to the plate sure enough. “Lasith was key to our domestic tourney displays. We’ll feel his absence which will, however, provide an opportunity for youngsters to prove we can compete at the international level.

“We hope the tracks in the upcoming tournament will suit sides from the sub-continent, such as ours, more than those from outside it,” said Mubarak.

Was the time together as a team sufficient?

“Most of us have played for the national team. As individuals, almost each of us is experienced. We now need to combine well as a team,” the athletic all-rounder said.

Dwelling on the positives he said, “As lesser known opponents, with no big stars in our ranks, things will work in our favour. When the opposition doesn’t know what to expect, the advantage is ours.

“We’ll be more at ease when we are the underdogs and not have to worry about outside pressures,” reasoned the Sri Lankan side’s skipper.

Good bench strength

When quizzed if Rohit Sharma’s absence would adversely affect the Mumbai Indians, Mubarak replied, “Established teams have good bench strength. They don’t rely only on individuals when they have five to six match-winners in their squads.”

As with each team vying to qualify, the first match would be vital. “We’ll take it game by game. We first face the Northern Knights and we’ll focus on that match,” he said.

“With that confidence we hope to take on the Lahore Lions and then the Mumbai Indians,” he concluded.