Mumbai start from scratch: Wright
abu dhabi — Mumbai Indians coach John Wright said that there was no pressure despite being the defending champions and added that they would be starting from zero when they embark on their title defence in five days time.
Mumbai Indians completed a double, winning the IPL and the T20 Champions League last year. They will take on Kolkata Knight Riders in the tournament opener of the seventh edition of the IPL in Abu Dhabi next Wednesday.
Mumbai Indians, who were training in Dubai, arrived in Abu Dhabi on Thursday night and got down to a practice match among themselves at the Shaikh Zayed International Cricket Stadium on Friday evening.
“There is no pressure really having won the first IPL and the Champions League last year. We don’t think about that feeling (being champions). We just want to go out there and win the game,” Wright said during the practice match.
Wright, who had also coached the Indian team, reckoned it will be fiercely fought and said that every game in the first leg as well as the rest of the tournament would be vital.
“It is a tough and tight league and every game is going to important. Every team have got their stars and there are no easy games, which I think makes it a great league,” he said.
Wright was pleased with the squad and said that they would be able to put out their best XI on the field. “Every time we will be playing in this IPL, we will be able to put up a very strong team. The boys are very excited to be playing in the UAE. We will be happy with any team we put on the park and we will always be going out to win,” said Wright, who also guided New Zealand to the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup.
Wright saluted captain Rohit
We just want to go out there and win the game
Wright
Sharma for a job well done last season and hoped for him to continue in the same way this year.
“Rohit (Sharma) led the side marvellously. He led us well with the bat and was tactically brilliant. You can say it was very smart captaincy from him. He also had a great season with the Indian team. So, I’m very pleased to see him lead the team again,” he said.
Wright said Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup-winning captain Lasith Malinga is yet to link-up with the squad and added that he would be vital in Mumbai’s scheme of things.
“Lasith (Malinga) will be here fresh from his success as captain. So, it will be a huge plus and we are all very pleased for him. He is having a bit of a break and he will be here soon. The good thing is he has been bowling really well,” Wright said.
Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar called it a day from all forms cricket and will also not figure in the IPL. But the Kiwi said that Sachin would still be a part of the Mumbai Indians. Tendulkar was appointed as the Mumbai Indians’ icon.
“Sachin is a big part of our franchise and will be here. It will be great to see him again and it will be great to have him around,” he said.
He was surprised with the weather on Friday and added that the pitches would be ideal for T20 cricket. He was also full of praise for the Stadium.
“This evening is beautiful. It is lovely conditions for playing cricket. It is also a beautiful stadium. One of the boys out there was saying how pleasant the temperature was. It looks like it is going to be a good wicket for T20 cricket,” said Wright.