The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : A must-win situation

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A must-win situation

Twenty20 is a batsman’s game, writes Anil Kumble

We are in a situation where we have to win all the matches left. Knight Riders haven’t had much success recently, so it’s important to ensure that we get a win here. The last time we played them, Brendon McCullum’s blistering knock totally took the game away from us.

Our problem is that we haven’t been batting consistently well, so it’s important that we try and change that. With Jaffer ruled out, there is an opportunity for somebody else to step in and step up. It could be Arunkumar or Chipli.

Against Kings XI, if we had managed another 25 runs, we could’ve won the game. We need to start well and haven’t done that at all. In the games played so far, in only one match has a bowler really dominated to the extent that he won the game straight off — Sohail Tanvir with his six-wicket haul against Super Kings. Otherwise, we’ve seen only a couple of bowlers doing well by picking up vital wickets here and there.

Tough on bowlers

So we’d like to bat first and get a good score. Without a decent total, it’ll be incredibly tough on the bowlers because it’s really hard to defend the kind of modest scores we have been getting.

We’re looking at the next game as the beginning of a three-match away tour, as our next three matches are away from home. The importance of the Kolkata game lies in the fact that they too will be somewhat tentative and desperate to win. From their perspective, like ours, any chance we have of climbing up the ladder needs to begin now. We need to look at this as a seven-match tournament from now on. It’s quite late already — we’re halfway through the event — but hopefully, it’s not too late and we’ll pull it off.

Our bowling too needs to keep up the momentum. Personally, it’s also important that I get going. I haven’t been able to get into a rhythm and contribute, and it’s obvious that I am not 100 per cent fit.

We’ve also been watching the other games with interest. It’s really been an unpredictable event. Deccan Chargers beating Super Kings was something. The latter, who began really well, seem to have had some skids put on them. Royals seem to be in good nick, very consistent and looking tough.

Happily for us, the mood in the camp is still pretty good. That we’re away from the home environment for 10 days at a stretch will also help. I’m sure there’ll now be a lot more time to mix around with each other, discuss things, and ensure that we pull it off. — Hawkeye/Chivach Sport

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