On the performances at home and playing at M Chinnaswamy Stadium
“We have not played good cricket in our home matches and you have talked about the toss, it’s not in my hand, so, let’s see. And this time wickets are a bit tricky and unpredictable over here, but that is not an excuse. So, we’ll try to adapt the situation and condition as quick as possible.”
About the toss factor
It is not that if you lose the toss, half the battle is lost because the toss is not in our control. But as a player, if you have to bat first, you would always try to do the best you can in such a situation and conditions. So, we are trying to focus more on that aspect and not on the toss.
On how the team puts aside a home defeat and turns it around in an away game, in unfamiliar conditions
For us, I think it is about being in the present moment because in this league, you have back-to-back matches. So, it’s important to learn from the past and learn from the errors. And we don’t keep talking about our home matches that we have lost, and we focus on the present as much as possible, which is more important. We always try to do the best on that day.
On the Impact Player
Of course we have discussed how we are using the impact player. The impact player against Punjab Kings at home was an unexpected call because we have lost 3-4 early wickets, and at that time we needed a batter in the middle. That’s why Manoj Bhandage was there, and I think that was a right decision. And we needed a good total at that time to be able to defend it.
On Shot Selection at the Chinnaswamy Stadium
Shot selection and doing it correctly is very important here, because this time the pitches are a little two-paced and the bounce varies at times as well. So as a result, there is help for the bowlers.
On how to counter the tricky pitch and has RCB spoken with the curators?
The curators are doing a good job and they are doing their best. But as a player, when you go to any wicket you have to adapt to the conditions and situations. You cannot give any excuse that the wickets are this or that. I think this time the wickets are a little tricky and we will adapt to it as soon as possible.
On captaining the RCB side
I am enjoying it a lot because for me, it is a great learning process as a leader. We have a great group of leaders in the team and very experienced players. I think about the inputs they give and I think it is helping a lot.
