He brings in a majestic presence without putting an effort. Not many who have graced the game have walked with such a swagger and matched it with performance. There was little surprise in most teams going hard after Andrew Symonds during the auction in 2008. Even in the short stint last year he made his presence felt. The start to 2009 was the usual blazing self. The swashbuckling effort went in vain but Chargers have a lot to look forward to from the broad blade of Symonds in the remaining five games.

The big hitter kept his appointment with this newspaper for a chat near the poolside of the team hotel.

Q: You came in and after a long flight and made an impression straightaway. Talk us through your innings and the reasons for the defeat?

A: It was a difficult wicket to bat on. So I took a while gauging the wicket The partnership with Venugopal Rao went on well and we thought 140 was a par score on this track. The sun came out and made things easier for the batsmen. But at the end of the innings we thought we had enough to defend. Things did not go according to plan. The 20 runs off my over and later there was one more that changed it. Looking back I think we were probably a boundary short. That’s the way this format goes and we will have to accept it.

Q: Were you following the IPL before coming here?

A: Yes a fair bit. I was looking at the papers every morning and was thrilled to see the team doing so well. We could not have hoped for a better start. We went downhill a bit and came back with a win. Yesterday was a bit of letdown. The overall performance has been quite good.

Q: What was your first reaction on the IPL getting shifted to South Africa?

A: A sensible decision without doubt. The elections were far more important. When you are not going to have enough security staff to work for the tournament it is a huge risk. In a sense it is a disappointment as it is principally an Indian tournament. Cricket is royalty in India and treated with great fanfare. It would have been bigger there.

Q: How important is it for you to have the likes of Gilchrist and Darren Lehman in the Chargers dressing room?

A: Having played a lot of cricket with them it helps. They are two guys who bring in tremendous amount of experience and leadership skills. They have seen it and done it all. The team is fortunate to have them at the top and guiding the youngsters.

Q: Many players including Kevin Pietersen have credited the IPL helping Indian cricket in particular and cricket in general, what is your take?

A: For starters it gives them a chance to fight against the best. It’s an opportunity to see for themselves were they stand when tested hard. It should prepare them well for future contests. There is a chance they could blink if they are put in that zone straightaway. The tournament has prepared them well. As far cricket in general, the event is a great spectacle for the viewers. It gives a lot for the sponsors and for the fans it has helped in taking the game to a bigger mass and making the game popular in more areas. It has done a world of good for players financially. It has been a win-win situation for all.

Q: The tournament has been a lot tighter this year. What could be the Reasons?

A: Each team has worked out a better method. Having played for a year they know what to doing against each other. They all want to be successful. There is so much at stake in terms of money and pride. Each one is trying harder. The hunger can be sensed. The young Indian players are seeing it from a selection perspective so there are also keyed up. All this has added to the tournament being keenly fought.

Q: Adam Gilchrist had recently said T20 is as tough as Test cricket, do you agree?

A: T20 is a different game. It requires a lot of tactical acumen to be successful. Even small decisions like which bowler to bring on against a particular batsman counts. A game can be won or lost in one over. One has to be clever with the bat and ball. Things can finish quickly like football. It takes a lot of sharpness. The format demands a lot from a player. So Gilchrist is a right in a sense.

Q: Finally, senior players have come to the party especially a few who have retired from international cricket. What are the necessary technical changes a player has to make to succeed in T20?

A: A lot of quickness and athleticism is required to be consistent in T20. The older players know their game better so they are successful. You will have to work around your game to suit the situation. Experienced players know to do it better. Some of the younger players have struggled because they lack experience in these conditions. It is a format where you also need a bit of luck. One should not try too hard. Things can also go wrong quickly. It is essentially a combination that makes a player tick.