We'll come back strongly: SKY
MI batsman Suryakumar Yadav isn't too worried about the team's misfiring middle-order and said it is just a matter of one game and it will make a strong comeback. MI's middle-order, comprising Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, his brother Krunal, has not been able to perform to its potential in the Chennai leg. But Surya said performance of the middle-order was “not really” a cause of concern for the team. “...They have been working really hard in the nets, every-day, every practice session, it is just a matter of one game, I feel, that we will be coming back into the games,” he said.
‘How dc play Rashid will hold key’
Delhi Capitals assistant coach Mohammad Kaif feels how his team plays star SRH spinner Rashid Khan on a slow Chepauk surface will hold key on Sunday. “The way we play Rashid Khan is going to be the key for us on this pitch,” Kaif said. He added that batting on Chennai pitch has been difficult, but the experienced their batting line-up is certainly up for the challenge.
Gavaskar praises coach shastri
Effusive in his praise for national cricket coach Ravi Shastri, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar on Saturday called him an “incredible” mentor with an “unbelievable” ability to motivate youngsters even in their lowest phases. “Just 10-15 minutes with Ravi Shastri after a practice session. You know Ravi has got the ability to give so much confidence to youngsters, it's unbelievable,” Gavaskar said. “If he (Shastri) believes in their ability and talent, there is no better man than Ravi Shastri to give encouragement to that youngster. He will scold you, tell you off but at the same time, he will tell you what you can do to get better, he will actually demonstrate to you,” said Sunny.
‘Ravi's commitment & focus is sorted’
Punjab Kings head coach Anil Kumble was all praise for the team's 20-year-old spinner, Ravi Bishnoi, who flummoxed the Mumbai Indian batsmen and took two crucial scalps in the nine-wicket win on Friday. “Bish (Bishnoi) played all the matches in the last season... when he came here, I thought he was not the same bowler we had seen last year. I worked on his run-up and a few other things because he was drifting down the leg side even in practice games. That's why he didn't start the tournament earlier,” said Kumble. “But, I think, over the last week or so, his commitment, his focus is now sorted; he's back. It's wonderful to see him (bowl so well). He's always a competitor; you can see that. And to pick up a couple of wickets in an important game like this is great,” the coach added.
KP Surprised at Maxwell's success
Glenn Maxwell's success at this season's IPL has been surprising considering that he isn't the main man in the RCB which he likes to be in every team he plays with, said former England batsman Kevin Pietersen. “I was sceptical of RCB's purchase of Glenn Maxwell at the beginning of the tournament, partly because he is ‘The Big Show' — he likes to be the main man in the teams he plays in. He certainly isn't that here, with Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers at the top of the tree, so it's surprised me that he's done so well,” he wrote on his blog on betway.com.
Sachin recovers from COVID-19
Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar on Saturday said he has recovered from Covid-19 and will donate plasma when he is eligible.