There's a certain equanimity to Dav Whatmore, coach of the Kolkata Knightriders. Not one to be carried away by ups and downs, he said, “we wish to continue to win as many games as we can but there's a lot of cricket still to be played. Although we've lost some games, we are back to winning. Slipping up would not be on any team's agenda.”
Toss not crucial
To him the toss for the contest against the Deccan Chargers on Tuesday will not be crucial.
“We lose it one day and win it the next. The important thing is to play the first or the second innings well,” he said. “Although I'm not a very good reader of wickets, I think the track here is good,” said the mentor of teams that have gone places.
Pat for Tiwary
“After four seasons of the IPL, Manoj Tiwary will not have to worry about selection,” was his pat on the back for his squad's consistent run-getter.
On Mark Boucher's replacement of Brad Haddin behind the stumps, Whatmore said, “Mark's experience on the sub-continent will be important for us.”
His confidence in his team was obvious. “I have no worries (as regards the side). It is an extremely flexible team, capable of being competitive on any surface,” he stressed..
Playing it safe
Whatmore's counterpart in the Chargers' camp, Darren Lehman played it safe when it came to the home advantage that Shane Warne harped on.
“Let me say we prefer to play on good wickets,” he said, not willing to dwell on the jinx that afflicts the host on its home turf.
“We'll know where we are after the three home games, of which we hope to win two, if not three. A few things need to be fine-twitched,” he said.
While being non-committal on team composition vis-à-vis inclusion of Pragyan Ojha, Michael Lumb and Rusty Theron, he said, “We'll pick the best side for a particular match.” While suggesting change was inevitable in a team not winning, a 10 to 15 % improvement should see his side win easily, he concluded.
