In Conversation with the Captain : Kumar Sangakkara

Sat, 19 May 2012 12:07:52 +0530

Sangakkara made his test debut against South Africa at the age of 22 on 20th July 2000 and has been named as one of Wisden’s five Cricketers of the year in 2012. The dashing left handed batsman plays for Nondescripts in the Sri Lankan domestic circuit. He was picked up by the Kings XI Punjab to captain their side for the first three seasons of the IPL and was later picked up by the Deccan Chargers in the player auction in 2011. Sangakkara and fellow Sri Lankan and spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan joined hands to drag thousands of Sri Lankans from the northern parts of the country out of the clutches of poverty. They had decided that transport was the main problem and hence donated 1300 bicycles to the people. He is currently an undergraduate at the Sri Lankan Law College. Sangakkara is married to Yehali and the couple have two kids - a girl and a boy. Here is the conversation that we had - By the Way - I was smiling like a star struck teenager throughout the interview. You are captaining the Deccan Chargers for the second season now. How does it feel? It is a great honour and privilege to captain this franchise. It has a great history of being the champions and coming third in the third season of IPL. It is also a big responsibility that we keep doing well but, unfortunately last season and this season haven’t been the best. We’ve come close to winning a couple of games but we haven’t been able to deliver. The season has not been good so far. What are your plans for the last two games? It’s just a case of making sure we do our basics right. Make sure we bat, bowl and field well in every single game. I think that is going to be our plan and we must ensure that our players have the confidence and belief and we must play together as a unit. How are you motivating the boys ahead of the game tomorrow? I think disappointment itself is a great motivation and all players know that we should have won 5-6 games but, unfortunately we could not hold on in the final overs of these games. We must ensure that we give our 100%. What are the departments that you think the Chargers should improve? Well, all the departments..especially fielding. I think the fielding has let us down a bit at times. Some games we fielded brilliantly for a long period and then let things slip at the crucial time. So, that's going to be important. Do you feel the pressure of captaining the side opening the innings as well? Ahh no, I enjoy it a lot and the more you enjoy it, the more you get recharged. What is your favourite dish? I'm a big rice and curry fan. In Sri Lanka, the staple is rice and that is why I like it.

Rapid fire moments with Harris and Reddy

Thu, 17 May 2012 15:08:42 +0530

Daniel Harris Which is your favourite ride? I drive a Subaru back home. I love it. Name one person that you admire the most I have two. My mom and dad. Which is your favourite brand of clothes? Puma. If the world ends tomorrow, what would be your last wish? I would like to spend my time with my family and friends and have a huge cup of coffee. (Laughs) Which superhero would you want to be? I would love to be Batman. What do you think about the White Mischief girls? Great dancers. They have some cool dance moves. Ashish Reddy Which is your favourite ride? I like the Bugatti Veyron very much and would love to own it someday. Name one person that you admire the most Kumar Sangakkara Which is your favourite brand of clothes? True Religion. If the world ends tomorrow, what would be your last wish? I would wish for an extra 24 hour (laughs). Which is your favourite movie dialogue? “Aal Izz Well” Which superhero would you want to be? The Incredible Hulk. (smiles) What do you think about the White Mischief girls? They are very nice and they are packed with loads of entertainment.

Rapid fire moments with the Chargers' duo

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:42:26 +0530

Ankit Sharma Which is your favourite ride? I like bikes. My favourite bike is the Ninja. Name one person that you admire the most? Kumar Sangakkara Which is your favourite brand of clothes? Tommy Hilfiger If the world were to end tomorrow what would be your last wish? I would like to spend my time with my family and friends. Which is your favourite movie dialogue? “Haar kar jeetne wale ko baazigar kehte hain” (laughs) Which superhero would you want to be? Iron Man! What do you think about the White Mischief girls? They are very pretty. JP Duminy Which is your favourite ride? I drive an Audi back home and I like it. Name one person that you admire the most. Nelson Mandela, Our former president. He’s been through tough times and he has a fascinating personality. Which is your favourite brand of clothes? Puma. I’ve been a part of puma for five years now and it is definitely a brand that I enjoy. If the world would to end tomorrow then what would be your last wish? That I get to spend my time with my family and friends. What is your favourite movie dialogue? Asta Lavista Baby! (Terminator style) Which superhero would you want to be? The Hulk (laughs) What do you think about the White Mischief girls? They dance very well and are very beautiful.

In Conversation with Cameron White

Tue, 08 May 2012 10:45:18 +0530

You’ve been the captain of the Australian International t20 side and now you are the vice captain of the Deccan Chargers. How does the responsibility differ? I imagine the responsibility will be a lot different. IPL is a lot different when compared to playing Internationals. When a person goes to a different country, he experiences something like a cultural shock. Have you experienced something like that when you came to India? I think the whole place is very different. India and Australia are very different countries. So, I guess for someone new to India, it would be a big change coming from another country. But, I love the people and the IPL. I’m here for the fifth edition just like so many others and so, everyone knows what they are in for these days. But as I said, if you are new to India, it would be a little bit of a shock. Could you tell us about your most cherished moment? I cherish playing cricket for Australia. The most cherished moment would be getting picked. What is your favourite city? Favourite city would be Hyderabad because that’s where the Deccan Chargers home ground is and obviously that’s where we come from so, Hyderabad is definitely the best place. Do you have an experience you would like to share with us (regarding the city)? It’s a nice place to go around. It’s our home venue and it’s always nice to be travelling along the road for IPL. Which is your favourite stadium? The MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground). It’s my home ground back in Australia. What is your favourite dish? I like many dishes. I like most of my food. Have you tasted the Biryani? Yeah, Biryani is pretty good. I like Veg. Biryani the most. There are a lot of different styles here but, it’s my favourite. What is your favourite movie? There are so many but I think I enjoy watching Blood Diamond. The movie is a bit old now, but I liked it. Who is your favourite artist? I don’t generally listen to music.

Meet the player: J.P. Duminy

Sun, 06 May 2012 11:39:18 +0530

Nickname: Copper. If not a cricketer, you would have been…: A rockstar! Favourite band: I don’t have a favourite band as such but Bei Maejor is my favourite singer. Favourite movie: Bad Boys. Favourite actor and actress: Martin Lawrence and Angelina Jolie. Favourite holiday destination: Maldives. The off-spin bowler you would love to face: Graeme Swann. Best bowler(s) in the world: Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. The sledge you remember the most: On my South African debut against the Australians, Symmo (Andrew Symonds) was quite vocal. Favourite food: Butter chicken. What you hate to see on the field: Players getting upset at team-mates. Two things you don’t leave home without: My computer and iPod. Your dream date with: My wife Sue.

Meet the player: Daniel Harris

Fri, 04 May 2012 09:56:46 +0530

When not playing cricket, he likes to: Spend time with my family, read books, or help out at the hospital. Book he is currently reading: I just finished reading the Steve Jobs biography. It was really interesting. Right now, I started reading a book about brain habits. It’s about things we can do to help our brain work better. Apart from cricket: I love Aussie Rules Football. In South Australia, it’s cricket in the summer and Aussie Rules in the winter. Something about himself he’d like to change: I would like to be 6-foot-6 and bowl 145 kmph, but unfortunately, I don’t see it happening (laughs). Something he would never want to change: The fact that I am a cricketer. Is he more a cricketer or more a doctor: A cricketer, most definitely.

Warm up with Manpreet Gony

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:56:29 +0530

Manpreet had just finished an intensive workout and we caught up with him to have a chat - DC isn’t performing well this season, what are your plans for the rest of the season? We plan for the next game. We also want to improve our batting, bowling and fielding for the rest of the season. How is Darren Lehmann as a coach? He’s a good guy. He is very frank. He’s not like every other coach and he behaves the same with both capped and uncapped players. What is your favourite dish? Butter Chicken Can you tell us something about your tattoos? I have three tattoos - One on my left arm, one on my right and one on my right leg. The one on my right leg is a devil. I’m planning to get two more tattoos. I’d like to get my wife’s name on my right arm and my son’s picture on my chest. Which is your favourite city? Can you tell us your experience about it? My favourite city is Chandigarh. I love roaming around the city with my friends in my car. I love the weather. Which is your most cherished moment? Last year, when we played against the RCB in Hyderabad, I picked up three wickets. This moment was particularly special because that was the first actual home match that we had won. How is Kumar Sangakkara as a captain? He’s a good guy. He guides me well in the nets and during the practice games. I like both my captains Dhoni and Sangakkara.

Meet the player: Parthiv Patel

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:42:22 +0530

Nickname: Everyone calls me PP, that’s the only nickname I have. Hobbies: I love watching movies. I watch a lot of them and you can say I don’t miss any movie that comes out. Favourite actor: Aamir Khan Favourite movie character: Aamir Khan’s character from Dil Chahta Hai. Favourite kind of music: I prefer Hindi film music. What he would like to change about himself: My sleeping habits. I don’t sleep early or get up early. I live in a different time zone. On his bratty side: I was a very naughty kid, as you can tell by the scars on my face. I even lost a finger when I was young.Once, I tried to emulate Shaktimaan (a TV character) and ended up getting badly hurt.

Face to face with Chris Lynn

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:17:18 +0530

How did you celebrate your birthday last week? We had a game against Mumbai on the 9th. So, after that we went to a resort, had a couple of beers. We travelled in Vizag that day, I got cake rubbed on my face and then we went out for a nice dinner. Is this your first time in India? No actually, it’s my third time. I came here for last year’s IPL and I also came here in 2010. Do you like India and are you enjoying yourself? It’s good. I’m having fun. Of course, the only thing is the hot and humid climate. I’m not quite used to that back in Australia. Other than that, it’s good fun. What do you think of Sangakkara as a captain? I don’t think you can get a better captain honestly. He’s been there, done that. So, to have the opportunity to play under him is very special. Which team do you think has a good chance of winning the IPL this season (other than the DC)? Mumbai are pretty strong. Also, Chennai and maybe if you throw a dark horse in there, Kolkata. Can you tell us about a funny incident when you were travelling with the Chargers? It’s quite funny when people are late on the bus. Do you have a message for the DC fans? Keep supporting us no matter what happens. We’re giving our hundred percent in every game. Go Chargers!

Meet the player: Daniel Christian

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 10:46:59 +0530

Nicknames: I have very boring nicknames, really. I’m either called Christo, or DC, which I think is more apt in the current situation as I play for Deccan Chargers. Favourite movies: I like to watch comedies. My favourites are ‘Anchorman’ and ‘Wedding Crashers’. A player you look upto: Mike Hussey If you had the chance to play a movie role, which one would it be? There is no doubt about at it. I has to be James Bond. Biggest weakness: Not being able to stay in touch with my old friends. Greatest strength: Loyalty to friends. While it might seem like it is in conflict with my weakness, I must clarify that I am very loyal to my friends. I just don’t stay in touch (laughs). One thing people don’t know about you: Four years ago, I almost tossed in cricket to play rugby league.

Dale Steyn shows off his humane side

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 10:46:13 +0530

He may not beat the bush when on field, but off it — Deccan Chargers’ Dale Steyn — is a man who prefers living in the wild. The pace ace believes that his initial years at his birthplace Phalaborwa, a small town in South Africa known for its wildlife, has made him develop a deep connect with Mother Nature. “Look, I come from the bush. That’s where I grew up in South Africa. I love spending time with nature during my off-season,” the 28-year-old said. Steyn’s penchant for nurturing nature has made him turn into a keen environmentalist. “I like to work with firms that do their bit to preserve our environment. Somewhere down the line, I have become a household name whether it is India or in South Africa. Hopefully I can come out with the right message for the people with regards to saving water or the environment,” Steyn said. Interestingly, Steyn’s girlfriend Jeanne Kietzmann is an animal lover. “She wants to be trained in saving the tigers in the future,” the pacer said. As a youngster Steyn dreamt of becoming a photographer. It continues to be his passion till date. One can often see him posting pictures of places that he visits on social networking sites. “I capture them all on my phone and post it online. Its fun,” the South African said. Steyn clearly seems to have been rattled by his experience at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, where he was part of an event. “We were touching speeds in excess of 150 kmph, and it was not at all easy on the stomach. It is amazing how the drivers manage to maneuver at over 300 kmph during a Formula One race,” he said.

Sangakkara’s day out in the city

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 08:59:33 +0530

Deccan Chargers skipper Kumar Sangakkara, who is on Wisden’s list of five cricketers of the year, is in the city knocking back balls in the nets and bonding with his IPL teammates. On Chargers’ first two games We had a few moments with Chennai. Against Mumbai we were almost there. One over to go and 18 to score… we would back ourselves to win nine out of 10 times from that position. But Rohit batted exceptionally well. On the Bhajji incident I didn’t have to react at all. My question was to the umpires. They had ruled “Not Out”, so I had to wait. The rest was between Mumbai Indians and the umpires. It didn’t concern us. On opting not to keep wickets Parthiv is a quality wicket-keeper batsman. I’ve just come back after playing a Test match. Everyone said I should just field and see how it goes. The last match was good. Parthiv keeps [wickets] as well as I do. On the places he wants to see in Hyderabad I haven’t been out and about in the city so far. I want go to the Falaknuma Palace and take my wife Yehali and twins Kavith and Swyree with me. On cricketing tips from his wife (Laughs) She leaves cricket to me. She watches it, follows it and enjoys it. But we like to keep cricket and family as far apart as possible. Source : Deccan Chronicle www.deccanchronicle.com

Dale, the secret angel

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 10:54:58 +0530

Dale Steyn, Deccan Chargers’ and South African speedster and any batsman’s nightmare is practising in the city. In a candid chat, he spoke to us about his idea of giving away two VIP tickets for every Deccan Chargers match to anonymous followers on Twitter. “Yes, it’s something that I’ve started. In each city that we play, I will leave two tickets in an envelope with no name on it and my signature. I will then tweet with hints about the location of the tickets. My Twitter followers can figure out the place, and the first to reach the spot can claim the tickets,” informs the fast bowler. “Well, I get two tickets for every match and I do not know anyone here to take along with me or give them to. So I’d rather give the tickets to those who are eager to watch matches,” he adds. Dale will soon have company of girlfriend Jeanne Keitzmann, who will be joining him at the matches. So, does she give him any bowling tips? “No, she is a cool girl. She’s nice and good companion. She understands me more than she does cricket and that’s all matters,” he smiles. The ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) accounts for the second season that Dale’s playing with the Chargers. Pointing out that the team this time is a young and energetic one, he says, “We have some new players so there is new energy. It will be great once we start winning matches.” Dale sees promise in young bowler Anand Rajan.

Meet the player: Cameron White

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 10:45:58 +0530

Nickname: Whitey, which is an obvious one, and Bear. When not playing cricket, he likes to: Play golf. I have a 9-handicap at this small course just off Melbourne. Apart from cricket and golf, like everyone else, I like watching movies. And if you can call it a sport, I like to go fishing. Guys you hang out with: I don’t hang out much, but Daniel Christian is a good friend in the team. From India, Amit Mishra and Chipli are fun guys to hang out with. Something about himself he would neverwant to change: I would never want to change the person I am and the fact that I am a cricketer. Earliest sporting memory: Under-age cricket. Playing junior cricket and Aussie Rules football at school and in our backyard. Best sporting moment: When I started playing cricket for Australia.

Biplab shoots @ Chargers Quick Fire Bytes

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 13:02:37 +0530

1. My nickname: Bips 2. My favourite food: Chicky Chicken 3. My best friend: Sid 4. My favourite cricket ground in India: Barabati Stadium, Cuttack 5. My recent holiday destination: Mooloolaba 6. My dream machine: Suzuki Hayabusa 7. My best playing moment in my career: When I got selected for Ranji 8. My best IPL moment: When I got selected to play for Deccan Chargers

Ravi Teja is very quick @ Chargers Quick Fire Bytes

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:51:13 +0530

1. My nickname: Ravz 2. My favourite food: Indian Cuisine 3. My best friend: Ashish Reddy 4. My fitness mantra: Keep running! 5. My recent holiday destination: Goa 6. My dream machine: BMW 5 Series 7. My best playing moment in my career: Highest score in Ranji tournament this year (185 not out against Rajasthan) 8. My best IPL 2011 moment: When we won our home match against RCB

I think it will be a great season

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 11:22:18 +0530

Dwaraka Ravi Teja, the local lad from the Cricketing World of Hyderabad, a dashing all rounder who had a great domestic season this year, joins Manjula, Media Co-ordinator of Deccan Chargers for a brief chat after the practice session with the team. Q. Hi Ravi, good to see you have a blast scoring really well in nearly all the domestic tournaments this year. How does it feel performing well and consistently? A. I feel absolutely delighted. I have scored fabulously and have been bowling well too. My 185 runs and not out in the Ranji match against Rajasthan which was also the highest score is very memorable. Q. What are your expectations of IPL 2012 and your team Deccan Chargers? A. I think it will be a great season. The team is full of talented youngsters and we bond really well. All of us are eager to perform well and we are all fun loving too. I also think IPL is a very good platform to showcase our talents. I personally feel it is a great opportunity; I want to play well and get a chance to represent Team India. Q. What is your take on Deccan Chargers being the local lad? A. I have been with the Deccan Chargers since the inaugural season and I have been supported well by the management, received tremendous encouragement. I am a Hyderabadi being brought up here and play for Hyderabad and the Deccan Chronicle Cricket Club. I just love Deccan Chargers! Q. Are you specifically working on any areas to improve your game this IPL season? A. I am more into aggressive batting and also working on my bowling skills as I have been bowling pretty well on the domestic circuit this year. Q. Who is your hero in Team Deccan Chargers? A. Daniel Harris Q. Who is your best friend and team mate in Deccan Chargers? A. Ashish Reddy Q. Anything specific you want to say about your other team mates? A. I just remembered that three year back, I met Cameron White when I was playing for India A and he was playing for Australia A. We played against each other and now we are team mates and will together play for Deccan Chargers. I think this is really wonderful. Q. Which is your favourite cricket ground in India where IPL matches are played? A. The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad Q. what is your favourite sport other than Cricket? A. Tennis Q. What is your motto in life and what do you aspire to achieve in your Cricket career? A. Live and let live, is my motto and I have to be satisfied with my performance and aspire to play for Team India.

Football was my first love, says Tanmay Mishra

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:41:16 +0530

“Playing for IPL and the Deccan Chargers was a dream for me and dreams do come true sometimes,” says Tanmay Mishra from Kenya. But thanks to his Indian passport, Tanmay will not be seen as a foreign player. The 25-year-old Mumbai-born has represented Kenya in two World Cups and is the first Kenyan cricketer to feature in the IPL. Tanmay’s parents moved to Kenya about two decades ago. “The last five days with the team has been fantastic. The Deccan family is very nice and I feel like a part of the family already,” he says, adding about his friends in the team, “I know Rohit, Parthiv, Yousuf, Kaif, and Praveen Kumar. All of them are very nice and down-to-earth people.” When asked what he does, when he isn’t busy with cricket. The bachelor says, “I am just like any other youngster. I hang out with friends, listen to music, love traveling and cricket has given me opportunity to see places. I love football, it was my first love.” IPL, nevertheless, is a dream-come-true. “It’s a great opportunity and more than that it’s a great platform. I look forward to sharing the dressing room with legends like Kumar Sangakkara and Dale Steyn. I am blessed to be here.” So was Kenya proud of his IPL involvement? “Of course! There is no doubt about it, when the news broke that I had signed for Deccan Chargers, they printed everywhere that I was the first Kenyan to play in IPL and everyone was very happy for me.” Tanmay says, “It’s an honour to play for any country. In Kenya, I was welcomed as their own. The senior players in the team were very supportive and whenever I got an opportunity I made it count.” He adds, “I initially didn’t get much attention in Kenya because I am from India but I worked hard, climbed the ladder step by step and that made me the player I am now.” Source -Deccan Chronicle http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/hyderabad/football-was-my-first-love-says-tanmay-mishra-883

Mishra out to leave opponents in a spin

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:02:05 +0530

Pint-sized Amit Mishra has had to punch above his weight to be noticed all through his career. Little wonder that the leg-spinner is unfazed by the daunting task that the upcoming IPL-5 is. “I would like to continue from where I left last season, during which I was the highest wicket-taker for the Chargers. I will push myself to doing better this time around,” Mishra told reporters here at a team function on Wednesday. The ‘No.1 spinner’ tag sits lightly on him though. “Whenever you do well, expectations will always go up and then you are supposed to punch a bit more. I am ready for that. The challenge is to contain the runs, which leads to wickets,” he says, putting the team first. “I have always believed that one cannot rest on one’s laurels and should always strive to do better — I have always been motivated by the challenges,” revealed the gutsy player. Mishra is eager to contribute in all departments. “I will try to make the best use of my opportunities in batting, bowling and fielding.” Contrary to popular belief that Twenty20 is a batsman’s game, Mishra feels skilled bowlers will always have their way. “It’s a fast game — you have to think on your feet and keep improving all the time. The spinners, especially, will have to work harder as there is very little time to settle into rhythm but I am game for it,” he says. Source : Deccan Chronicle http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/sport/cricket

‘Hyderabad has a good vibe’

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:36:37 +0530

“I am looking forward to playing for the Deccan Chargers,” says an excited Parthiv Patel, who has earlier played for the Chennai and Kochi teams. He adds, “I’ve played a lot of domestic and international matches in Hyderabad; it’s one of my favourites cities and has a good vibe. I have many friends here. I’ve even played many Ranji Trophy and Under 19 matches in Hyderabad.” On his new team in the upcoming IPL season, Parthiv says, “We have a really good team. Everyone wants to prove themselves, which is a very good sign. Hopefully, we will have a good season.” About playing under Kumar Sangakkara, he says, “I am looking forward to learning from him since he keeps wickets and is also a left hand batsman just like me.” On his own performance, Parthiv says, “I will be keeping the wickets. I will also open the batting, so I am looking forward to proving myself in the team.” “I’ve played with Goni, Amit Mishra and Tanmay Mishra against Kenya. Tanmay is a very promising player and has scored a lot of runs,” he adds. Parthiv is a family man now, especially with the entry of his daughter. He says, “My daughter is almost a year old now, so I try to spend as much time with her as I can. My family flies with me most of the time, and I’m planning to get them for a few IPL matches as well.” So, what does he do when he’s not playing cricket? “I don’t have the time to do much, but I like watching movies. I also play a lot of table tennis, that’s about it,” he says signing off. Source : Deccan Chronicle http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/glam-sham/%E2%80%98hyderabad-has-good-vibe%E2%80%99-510

Cricketer, doctor and a father

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:31:59 +0530

Daniel Harris will be making his first IPL appearance this year for the Deccan Chargers. Not many know that the dashing batsman is also a professional doctor. “I watched the first four seasons of IPL and I really wanted to be involved this season,” he says. The player feels at home, playing for the Chargers. “The team is fantastic, I already feel at home. I met a lot of Indian players who are very approachable. We need to bond well to perform well. For now, we are getting to spend a lot of time together,” he says adding, “The presence of Australian players such as Cameron and Darren will help in understanding the team better.” About being a professional doctor, he shares, “When I was studying medicine, I was playing a good amount of cricket. But I had to concentrate for six years on medicine and once I finished studying medicine, I did one year of internship and later I continued to focus on cricket. I try to focus on playing as much good cricket as I can and once I am done with cricket, I will surely get back to the hospital and continue what I studied.” When asked if his teammates treat him like a doctor and seek his medical help, he laughs, “Yes, they do come in for suggestions if they have a cold or cough, knee or shoulder pain. In Australia, they keep asking me for a prescription here and there. I keep getting a lot of health related questions from teammates.” The sportsman is also a father of two. He says, “I have two children, my son is one year old and I hope he plays cricket too, I keep teaching him cricket and hope he hits the ball like Pollard. I keep talking to my other three-year-old and my wife on Skype and try to keep in touch as much as I can.” Source : Deccan Chronicle http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/glam-sham/cricketer-doctor-and-father-509

A Candid Chat with Tanmay Mishra

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:35:43 +0530

Tell us a little about yourself? I was born in Mumbai, India and moved here to Kenya when I was very young. I went to elementary school here and my dad has a few businesses in Nairobi. My mum is a housewife and my little brother has just finished his medical MBBS in India. How did you get into cricket? I used to be a very sporty kid, playing football, cricket and the like. But I hurt my knee one day and my football stopped, so I concentrated more at cricket and become quite good. One day my little brother Tatsam told me to go and try play at the highest level. So I tried out for a local club and then made my way into the Kenya setup. the rest, as they say, is history. Who was your Cricket idol as a youngster? The first name that comes to mind is Sachin Tendulkar. I would pretend to be him when we played in our compound. He is a great player day in day out, and truly is 'the little master'. He is good at what he does and scores so many runs. Also when I was a child, my dad used to take me to Gymkhana where I saw Kenyan players like Steve Tikolo, Ravindu Shah, Maurice Odumbe and Thomas Odoyo. I would sit there and think to myself- One day I want to be like them. You played your first cricket match for Kenya against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in 2006. What did it feel like playing for the country? When you are young, you are just excited to be there on the main stage, It was a competitive game and as a boy, I just wanted to go out there and play the game to the best of my ability. Though we lost the match and I only scored 5 runs, I was happy as it was a big step for me. You came through all the ranks of Kenyan cricket from under 14's to the main Kenya team, and finally got to represent the country in a World Cup. Describe that feeling? Its a big honour and privilege to represent your country at such an event. It was very special for me to make it to that level, and I have to thank former Kenya coach Roger Harper for giving me that opportunity. The senior players and coaches also supported me a lot and I must thank them also. The feeling I got from that tournament, wearing that green shirt on the top stage of world cricket was phenomenal and no one can take it away from me. I didn't do as well as I had hoped to, but it was a big learning curve for me and I enjoyed that experience immensely. You also took part in the 2011 World Cup in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Kenya didn't do well, losing 6 games out of 6. As a player, how was that for you? It was a really disappointing tournament for everyone concerned. No one expected us to lose all six games and we not only let ourselves down, but we let the country down as well. I personally feel that the team wasn't going in the right direction at the time, and things like that happen in cricket. You have your good days and your bad ones. Its disappointing to go to such a big tournament and come back with nothing.The silver lining is that you learn from it and hope that you dont make the same mistakes in the future. What do you think the problem was. Was it selection, bad preparation, problems with the coach Eldine Baptiste? Well I cant comment on internal matters. Maybe someone at Cricket Kenya could answer that for you. As a player we had good preparation for the tournament. We were in Dubai at the Global Cricket Academy, and we beat Ireland and Afghanistan in build up matches there. But when the tournament started, we just couldn't get the ball rolling. We lost the first match to New Zealand when they balled us out for 69 runs and things just didn't get any better for us. It was really disappointing, and though we tried hard, we just couldn't get things going our way. After the World Cup, you decided to move to Mumbai and play your cricket there, despite Kenya having its own local league, What was your thinking behind that decision. A lot of people noticed me playing during the tournament and my 50 odd runs against Canada and my 70 or so runs against Australia really helped my case. I had a few people in India ask me if I would be interested in moving there to play, and I really wanted to test myself at the highest level. When I was offered the chance to play Division One cricket there, I knew it would be the best thing for my development in the game. Playing over there over the past year has taught me so much and it has made me a better player. Hopefully I can take this form into the national setup. What are the main differences between cricket in India and the game in Kenya? To be fair, India and Kenya are so far apart in terms of cricket. The facilities in India and infrastructure are out of this world. The reason for this is that cricket in India is very popular. People play the game in the streets, on the beaches, on any piece of grass that you see. Thats why they have such good facilities there. Indoor nets, all weather training grounds and much more. In Kenya we need to make people aware of the game, and start at the grassroots. We need to get little kids as excited about cricket as they are about playing football with a juala (paper) ball. Hopefully if that happens ,we will begin to see the corporates and other sponsors come into the sport, and this will take the game far and improve facilities to world class standard. Cricket Kenya have introduced the new East Africa cricket competitions in the region. What is your take on the tournament? I think its fantastic for the country and the region. Hopefully the level of cricket will rise due to this. It can only mean a great future for the game in East Africa. They should however look at bringing in professionals from all over the world and incorporate them in the teams, so that the youngsters can test themselves against the top players. Now to the big news Tanmay. You will be playing in this years Indian Premier League for the Deccan Chargers. You are the first Kenyan to play in this tournament. How did this come about? I think the IPL is the top league in the world for any cricketer. Its not easy to get in. You have to work hard and thankfully I had a good season in the local Mumbai league, and a few scouts saw me play. Because I have an Indian passport, I qualified to play as a local player which made it easier for me. But it is by Gods grace and hard work that gave me this opportunity and I intend to make the most of it. You are going to play alongside players like Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara, South African duo of Dale Steyn and J.P. Duminy amongst others. How do you think this will help your game? I feel that there is a lot I can learn from being in the Deccan Chargers. These guys have played top cricket for so many years and they have experience in abundance. Apart from them I also get to be trained by legendary coaches like Australian Darren Lehman. So its a great opportunity for me and I'm excited to work with such great names from the sport that I love. Hopefully it will make me a better player. After this what is next for Tanmay Mishra? Well this is just the beginning. It doesn't stop here. When I come back I hope to pass on my knowledge to the rest of the players and hopefully we can become a better side. Also I hope that me being in the IPL will open the door for other Kenyan players to the tournament. I'm certain that players like Alex Obanda, Collins Obuya, Rakep Patel and the rest have what it takes to play at this level; and hopefully we will see them there in the near future. QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS: Favourite player? Sachin Tendulkar Favourite coach? Muddasar Nazar Favourite football team? Manchester United What would you have done if there was no cricket? I would try and invent the game myself. First crush- My high school Chemistry teacher Favourite food- Chili Paneer Favourite quote- Fight till your last breath. Final Message to all- Believe in yourself. Try to be the best you can be and don't give up. courtesy - Arjun Vidyarthi

I love Being The New Charger...Know Me Says Tanmay Srivastava

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 16:33:21 +0530

1. My nickname: Toshu 2. My favourite food: Mughlai 3. My best friend: Saurabh,Amit 4. My fitness mantra: Stay Fit 5. My recent holiday destination: Dubai 6. My dream machine: Ipad 3 7. My best playing moment in my career: Winning the India Under-19 World Cup 2008 8. My best IPL 2011 moment: N/A *My domestic/international season so far (2011-2012)... Ranji Trophy Season was very good. *Because my team Deccan Chargers... Is full of enthuasiasm and true spirits *My hero in Team Deccan Chargers is Kumar Sangakkara *My best friend and team mate in Deccan Chargers is Anand Rajan *I am specifically working on the following areas to improve my game this IPL season Improvising shots *My expectations of IPL 2012 for me and my team are To do well in the matches and win the IPL 2012-03-02 *My favourite cricket ground in India where IPL matches are played Rajiv Gandhi Stadium , Hyderabad *My favourite sport/s other than Cricket Swimming *My motto in life Work Hard and leave the rest to God *Hyderabad is special because I always had a good time there *I aspire to achieve...in my cricket career To serve my Country and to do well *I would like to share my special / unique non-cricketing experience.... I went for Safari in Africa. It was an overwhelming experience for me to see the KING OF FOREST Lion so close.

Ishank Jaggi on Chargers Quick Fire Bytes

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 16:30:46 +0530

1. My nickname: Jags 2. My favourite food: Chicken Biryani 3. My best friend: Sunny Gupta 4. My fitness mantra: Use it or Lose it 5. My recent holiday destination: Kashmir 6. My dream machine: Aston Martin 7. My best playing moment in my career: Reaching my 1st double hundred in Ranji Trophy. 8. My best IPL 2011 moment: When Coach Darren said before the 1st game "you are in mate"

I love being a Charger! Know me and my aspirations... Says Anand Rajan

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 16:03:05 +0530

Chargers Quick Fire Bytes 1. My nickname: Andy 2. My favourite food: Pasta 3. My best friend : Bals 4. My fitness mantra: Eat healthy train hard 5. My recent holiday destination: Sydney 6. My dream machine: Buggatti Veyron 7. My best playing moment in my career: After taking 10 wickets on my Ranji debut... 8. My best IPL 2011 moment: After getting SACHIN TENDULKAR’s wicket. My domestic/international season so far (2011-2012) : Got the most wickets for my side in 20/20 domestic matches and did well in Ranji one days. Because my team Deccan Chargers: It has got the right blend of exuberance in youth and experience in lot of senior pros. My hero in Team Deccan Chargers is: Dale Steyn because he is very easy going as human and transforms into lethal weapon on the field My best friend and team mate in Deccan Chargers is : Ankit Sharma, Bharat Chipli and Ishank Jaggi. I am specifically working on the following areas to improve my game this IPL season: I am spending a lot of time working on my basics and polish skills required for this format. My expectations of IPL 2012 for me and my team are : Obviously winning the championship and contributing as much as I can to that cause. My favourite cricket ground in India where IPL matches are played: Uppal Stadium and Wankhede Stadium. My favourite sport/s other than Cricket: Tennis My mottos in life: Stay honest and pursue excellence. Hyderabad is special because: People are very warm and welcoming. I aspire to achieve...in my cricket career: To play for my country. I would like to share my special / unique non-cricketing experience.... Meeting his holiness Dalai Lama.

Ishank Jaggi @ Deccan Chargers Website Launch

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:07:04 +0530

Ishank Jaggi visited the Deccan Chargers Office for the launch of its new website and in a freewheeling chat with Manjula, Media Coordinator of Deccan Chargers. Q. Hi Ishank, good to have you visit the Deccan Chargers office. How do you like the Chargers new website? A. Fantastic, looks very pleasant. Q. You have really scored well in all formats of the game, this domestic season. How do feel about your improved performance? A. Yes, it has been a great season for me. I am extremely happy with my form. I should thank my training with the Chargers for IPL 2011. The experience was enriching. The opportunity of playing one match was in itself very motivating, but unfortunately my injury was a dampener. I am hoping that this IPL Season, I should carry my good form and perform well for my team, the Deccan Chargers. Q. Tell me about your most memorable moment playing for Jharkhand on the domestic circuit. A. All my good scoring matches are memorable, but the most memorable was East Zone winning the maiden Duleep Trophy. It was a joyous moment for me as the Vice-Captain of the team. Q. During your practice sessions with Team Deccan Chargers, who in particular has been a productive influence on you? A. Coach Lehmann has been very helpful helping me understand the nuances required for this format of the game. And practicing with Dale Steyn in the nets has been mind blowing. His tips on facing pace bowling is just too good. Q. On a lighter note, tell us something about the team mates with whom you spent your free time during the IPL 2011 tournament. A. As a team we all bonded well. I generally hanged out and had some fun times with Bharat Chipli, Ankit Sharma, Anand Rajan, Manpreet Gony and a few others. Q. What do you have to say about Hyderabad? A. I just love Hyderabad; the people, food and Hyderabadi hospitality is awesome. And Deccan Chargers management takes really good care of us. Q. Your family must be delighted with your fabulous performance. Tell us something about them. A. Oh yes, my parents are very happy, especially my dad, he is my biggest fan and the source of my inspiration to play cricket. Actually both my parents are doctors and my family is full of academics, but my parents have always been supportive and encouraged me to take up Cricket. Q. This year Deccan Chargers will be playing their home matches in three cities – Hyderabad, Vizag and Cuttack. So what is your take on this? A. It will surely be a good experience to play on three home venues with a good fan base. Thanks Ishank for your time and good luck for IPL 2012.

Gilchrist on Win

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:18:58 +0530

On the win: This was the first time we were tested and that gives us more satisfaction. The first two games were a romp while this was a hard earned victory against one of the best sides in the tournament. We struck it out there even when the going was tough and that showed how tough the boys are. On the team talk during the tactical timeout: The first thing I said was we were four runs ahead at that stage. It is always better to look at only the positives. We knew there would be an opening if we can keep things tight. And things just worked the way we thought it would. On operating with spin from both ends: It does pay to take the pace of the ball and at the same time there is very little margin for error. Pragyan Ojha showed his class while the part timers struck to their job. This is a small ground where even a mishit can go for a boundary. Any plan to go well has to be followed by proper execution and I am happy the players did just that. On the turning point: When Sachin got out we knew we could fight back. Having said that Mumbai is not only about Sachin, they have great balance in their side but his wicket was the one that put us back on the road. Duminy batted with flair and showed what he is capable of. We had to earn Sachin’s wicket by creating a plan. Once we snapped a few wickets and kept things tight we had the upper hand. On R.P. Singh and Fidel Edwards: They have good experience and they have expectedly led from the front. They have laid the platform in each game for the rest of the attack to come in consolidate. On the effort in the field: That is an area we have put a lot of effort and it clearly showed we have improved. Saving runs and holding on to catches is an essential ingredient to succeed in this format. Of the areas we identified to improve at the start of the season, fielding was on top and the hard work is paying of.

Andrew Symonds - Exclusive Interview

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:17:46 +0530

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.

Fidel Edwards - Exclusive Interview

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:17:08 +0530

He has said it with raw pace. Bristling in with energy and slinging in at furious speed, Fidel Edwards has set the IPL alight. The attitude of the West Indian has been refreshing. Here is a bowler who is hunting for wickets in format where other bowlers are happy to get away with seven runs per over. Fidel is not far behind the big hitters in the popularity charts. In a freewheeling chat with this newspaper Fidel spoke on his IPL experience, his new found love for batting long hours and evenings in South Africa. Q: You have proved pace has a place in T20. Was it a something you wanted to prove when you came here? A: Too be an out and out fast bowler is difficult. In T20 the advantage is that we know the maximum we can bowl is four overs and can afford to go flat out. What I am trying to do here is similar to what a batsman is trying to do in the first six overs. If I can get a couple of early wickets and set it up for the rest then I consider my job done. Q: The yorker has been your potent weapon bit it also has also proven1 costly, how do you see it? A: Without doubt the yorker has been my trump card. It is a big weapon as long it is the shock ball and there is an element of surprise to it. Overusing it can be a problem in limited overs cricket as the batsman can make adjustments to counter it. The margin of error is minimal and one needs to put in countless hours of practice to get it right. Q: You have said previously that to be the fastest bowler in the world is your dream. Have things changed now with experience? A: To be honest it does occur from time to time and the arm tries to go faster. But I have realised that bowling fast is the only thing. At the end of the day what matters is the number of wickets you have against your name. I enjoy bowling fast and along the way if I am also the fastest I will take it. Q: The IPL in South Africa has shifted the balance towards the bowlers. How did you see it? A: There is more for a fast bowler here. The ball swings a lot more and the carry off the wicket is even. These are better conditions than some of the other places in the world for a fast bowler. The responsibility is also higher as we are expected to be amongst wickets in every game. Q: You have formed a good combination with R.P. Singh. How much of planning has gone in to it? A: At this level we should know what we are doing. The partnership has worked well. As a left-right combination there is so much more for the batsman to think about. They angle we create is different. The batmen cannot get used quickly. The air speed varies too. I am sure we can keep the good work going. Q: Your experience with the Chargers so far? A: I will have to say that I have never had it better. Darren Lehman made my role clear straightaway and that made things easier. Bowling to V.V.S. Laxman and Adam Gilchrist in the nets has added to my bowling. Having Dwayne Smith in the team has also helped. Though we tend to do our own things in the evening the bunch is very friendly. It has been an amazing journey with the Chargers till now. And to top it the results have been great too.

Darren Lehmann - Exclusive Interview

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:15:57 +0530

Daren Lehmann multitasks effortlessly. From arranging fielding sessions to correcting faulty techniques to ensuring discipline in the team the South Australian has played a pivotal role in shaping the success of the Deccan Chargers. Lehmann who turned out for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL last year as a player has made a seamless shift as coach. A good percentage of the success the Chargers enjoy can be credited to Lehmann who ahs moulded this side into a fighting unit. The sense of togetherness in the side cannot be missed. Players don’t seem to have a problem in going through the hard grind. With the team sitting on top of the table the coach has all the reasons to smile but he is not ready to count the chickens as yet. In a chat with this newspaper Lehmann touched base on his journey with the Chargers so far. Q: Many young players in the team did not have any experience in South Africa did you see this as a disadvantage when you set out for the campaign? A: For those who have not played here it as a chance to learn. I saw it as an opportunity for the seniors in the side to guide them. I did not want to see or accept it as a weakness. We identified a bigger role for Herschelle Gibbs as he is well versed with the conditions. And team manager Goolam Raja has also had a huge part to play in making the youngsters fell at home. Most of us have played here before and that has also come in handy. Q: The top-order has worked wonderfully well, did you expect them to get going straightaway? A: as far as the batsmen were concerned it was a matter of grasping the conditions well and Gibbs and Adam Gilchrist have been our pillar up the order. The team has been doing well because the other aspects of our game has been in place too. With Gilchrist and Gibbs you are expecting that kind of firepower at the top. It is not surprising at all. Q: The journey has been smooth so far. How do you see it as a coach? A: It is a matter of getting down to the basics. Once you get the fundamentals right other things will follow. The team has shown great spirit. The energy level has been unbelievable. Our training sessions should prove that. In a tournament like this it is very important to forget what had happened last night. The first matches are history and it is time to focus on the remaining nine. Q: The team has been outstanding in the field, what has helped the transformation? A: The focus is on total fielding. It is crucial for each player to be comfortable in all positions. Mike Young has been a revelation. Full credit to the boys for going through their paces with interest. It is all good to plan but it is the players who go out there and execute the plan. Q: The team has been overtly dependent on the opening pair; does that worry you as coach? A: It is not only the two. Rohit Sharma has been chipping in with useful contributions and so has Dwayne Smith. I am sure the others will do it too when they get an opportunity. Laxman has had a tough time but there is much more he brings to this side with his experience. It is our duty to be with him through this patch. We are confident he will fire here. Q: Fidel Edwards has been an inspiration with his pace how much will the team miss him after the sixth game? A: We knew he would be available only for a certain time. He has done what was expected of him. Test cricket is the most important thing and all our best wishes are with him for the series against England. We have Chaminda Vaas and Ryan Harris who can come and fill in adequately. It should actually the bring the best out of Vaas. Q: Finally, your prediction for the tournament? A: It is an open tournament and we cannot point to one team as the clear favourite. Conditions here will force some changes in strategies, Teams will be travelling to newer venues and they will adapt better in the coming days. We have been working on all aspects of our game and do not wish to take things for granted. There will be areas where we will have to improve and they are being addressed from time to time.

Rohit Sharma - Exclusive Interview

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:10:10 +0530

Professional sport is all about excitement, adrenaline rush and swearing at opponents. Not for Rohit Sharma, he maintains a languid grace goes about his job with a touch of measure that sometimes even borders on sleepwalk. The exterior of a person can conceal what he is made of inside. Rohit is a fine example. He carries the same fire and urge as any other international cricketer but only fails to give that impression. “Being relaxed is something that cam naturally to me. I have been this way right from the start of my career as a schoolboy cricketer. It is not something I try and do. I work on my game as hard as anyone else and play with the same degree of passion as my team mates,” said Rohit during an exclusive chat with this newspaper. Rohit, a senior member of the Chargers has not set the house on fire with his batting. With the IPL in the final round, the right-hander must put the immediate past quickly behind and concentrate on the job ahead. “I started of well in the first 3-4 games. I think trying to do too much has cost me. I have understood that it is not my style. I have got to approach the remaining games afresh and not be concerned about what had happened. I cannot let the team down at this stage of the tournament,” said Rohit. The team has exceeded expectations. There has been a marked improvement from last year. Rohit is pleased with the show but agrees a few more games should have been converted. “We have done reasonably well so far. If you look at our record this year, we have won more games. Sometimes it is difficult to figure out a reason on what is going wrong. You might not be playing the best cricket but still win a few games. That is how T20 goes. It is better not to expect much while playing a tournament like the IPL. It is better to go out there and give your best and not be really worried about the result,” explained Rohit. Adam Gilchrist has not failed to mention what Rohit brings to the table. As vice-captain of the side his responsibilities are huge and Rohit has a leadership role to play. “To be the vice-captain of an IPL side is a huge honour and challenge, this has kept me going when I am not doing well with the bat. I have got other areas to contribute. To have done with the ball has given me great satisfaction. As a senior player I should contribute to the success of the team and I am happy to have helped the team win a game with my bowling,” said Rohit who registered a hat-trick against Mumbai and followed that with three vital wickets against Rajasthan. Coach Darren Lehman and Gilchrist have had a positive influence on Rohit. The more time Rohit spends with the two Australians the better it would be for his own game. Rohit takes note of the fact captain and coach have added a lot to his persona. “The best thing about the two is they want to me to grow and mature as a cricketer and they always been there for me. The most important lesson learnt from them is to enjoy your game. They don’t take pressure and that has been primary reason for their success.” And with the Chargers within touching distance of a knockout spot it is crucial for Rohit to regain his form and contribute in both departments. “That we are in the race is a positive sign indeed. We cannot afford to do any more mistakes. We have allowed easy runs and if we can plug that and continue to bat they way we have there is no reason why we cannot do well in the rest of the tournament,” added Rohit.

Ravi Teja - Exclusive Interview

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:09:42 +0530

Ravi Teja was spotted at the Glen Smith Avenue in Durban speeding in his borrowed Ferrari at nearly 200Kmph. Ravi Teja’s life outside the cricket field is not dissimilar to the one he leads inside. Full of life and boyish enthusiasm Teja missed a golden opportunity to become an overnight hero in Hyderabad. In the company of Andrew Symonds he scripted a thrilling run chase only to fall at the post against Delhi. “It was very disappointing to lose after having made the job easy. I know my shot selection let the team down but I am confident of putting up a better performance in the next match,” said Teja who added driving a Ferrari was one of his dreams and he got a chance when Deccan Chargers’ security expert Dino Rangaram’s son-in-law allowed him a spin. Teja might have not have got enough chances to prove his worth with the bat. His opportunities have been limited. But he has remained a tiger in the field holding on to some amazing catches and effecting some crucial run outs. “The last two months with fielding coach Mike Young has made the difference. Fielding has also been my passion. Our coach spoke about the importance of balance in fielding also on throwing techniques. We were told to go for the stumps even if only half a chance existed for a run out,” said Teja. Robin Uthappa standing exasperated after Teja took a blinder at deep mid-wicket will stand in memory of every spectator who was in Cape Town that day. Pictures of that catch might grow grainer but it will never be old to excite. “It felt great when I finally got my hands under that ball. I just went for it without thinking about anything, said Teja who also held an important catch against Rajasthan Royals in Kimberly. Any batsman will feel hard done if he is not allowed to bat in his normal position but Teja does not mind going in the middle order as long as the team is winning. “I would definitely prefer to open as I have grown up playing the new ball. To get in and adjust against spin is difficult but I will have to adapt. Suman has done very well and I am happy for him. Have no complaints as every player in the side is giving his best. I have to make use of the chances I get,” said Teja. All the shifting in the batting order has not made a difference to preparation. “Have been practicing the paddle sweep and the flick over short fine leg. T20 is all about thwacking the ball from the start and I don’t see a major difference even if I go in late. The basic idea is to make each ball count,” said Teja who has played 20 Ranji Trophy matches for Hyderabad scoring 1625 runs at an average of 45.13. The 21-year-old Teja might not be setting the house on fire with tall scores but is an impact player who can lay a strong foundation with a quick-fire innings at the top. Hyderabad has not had the best of results in the domestic front. The success of local players in the IPL will change all that according to Teja. “After players left for the ICL things got difficult but with the experience IPL has given us I am sure our performance next year would get better. We have understood the importance of proper planning and preparation, we will take it forward in the Ranji for sure,” concluded Teja.

Herschelle Gibbs - Exclusive Interview

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:09:14 +0530

For Herschelle Gibbs life has always been on the fast lane. A stunning batsman with a stunning range of strokes, Gibbs has been a natural entertainer. The opener is among a handful of players who evokes interest among the public during a domestic game. In Cape Town his popularity has to be seen to be believed. Gibbs kept his appointment; the only change was the venue. He chose the deck by the poolside under gun metal skies would be more appropriate for the evening than his hotel room. In an exclusive chat with this newspaper Gibbs spoke about his extensive role with the Chargers, the new found spirit within the team and his pick on the IPL among others matters. Q: What was your first reaction when you heard the IPL is shifted to South Africa? A: It might seem strange but my first reaction was disappointment. I was personally looking back to returning to India especially Hyderabad. The results were disappointing last year but the crowds backed us throughout. There would have been more appeal there. At the same time I knew my role would be greater here as I am the only South African in the Chargers team. I had to share my knowledge of local conditions. Q: There are quiet a few South African players in the IPL. The support has been great but does it add to pressure too? A; The feeling has been a bit bizarre. I was getting the loudest cheers every time the ball was coming to me in Cape Town. Sometimes the support is greater than what we receive while turning out for our country. Incidentally the DC colours are the same I wear for the Cape Cobras so that actually helped in calming nerves. There is no pressure as such as players at this level should adapt. Q: Your partnership with Adam Gilchrist has been devastating. How important is it to have a left-right combination in T20? A: Most have the teams have adopted for that. A left-right combination disturbs the best of bowlers. Only a few new ball bowlers adjust better. This has helped setting the foundation. Both of us are hitting the ball nicely. Gilly is one batsman who instils fear even in the bets of the bowlers. This has helped my game. Our job is to make optimum use of the field restrictions. So far things have worked out fine. Q: What do you see as the biggest reason for the Chargers transformation? A: It is a combination of many factors. The spirit is undeniably greater. The energy level is also high. The combination is better and more balanced this time. The team has shown an overall improvement. R.P. Singh bowling in tandem with Fidel Edwards has made a huge impact. RP had to do it alone last year. Pragyan Ojha is more experienced now. The job of the new ball bowlers is as important as mine and Gilly is. They have kept a check on the scoring rate in the first six overs. Once that is done half the battle is won. Q: Gilchrist had said you are leader of the fielding unit, what is your take on that? A: It is nice to know that. The fielder at backward point has a big role to play anyway. We have some excellent fielders in the team. Some of the catches we have taken prove that. The grounds here support diving and sliding and under Mike Young the team has been enjoying their fielding drills both in practice and in the games. Q: The win over Mumbai Indians should have been special. How do you see the Chargers progress in the IPL? A: It was important for the youngsters in the team to not get intimidated by the big names in their side. I am sure the win will work well for their mindset. It should help with their approach and understand their roles better. As far as the tournament is concerned it has been a great start but things can turn very quickly in this format. A lot of planning is required to make headway. The wickets here have been very good and I expect bigger scores when the event moves to Johannesburg and Pretoria as the air there is thin the ball travels the distance faster. The second half is going to be even more absorbing and I am confident of our chances of making the knockout stage.

Rohit best Indian bat after Sachin

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:08:15 +0530

He has been talked about as the one who will eventually bat at Sachin Tendulkar’s No.4 position in the Indian Test team but on Tuesday, Rohit Sharma’s image was boosted by New Zealand allrounder Scot Styris, who termed his Deccan Chargers teammate the best Indian batsman after the legend. Answering a pressure related question on the eve of the do-or-die match for Chargers, Styris said of Rohit: "In my opinion, Rohit Sharma is the best batsman in India outside of (Sachin) Tendulkar." "There is no chance of him being out of form or under pressure. Rohit has been consistent over the two IPLs and I don’t think he can be bogged down by any situation. He is a phenomenal player... him being out of the Indian team is a mystery," Styris added. The Kiwi appeared confident about the Chargers making it to the second stage of the tournament. "Trinidad & Tobago beating Somerset (on Monday) was the perfect result and a big confidence boost for us. They won easily too, so the net run-rate will be a factor at the end of the group stage. If we win the game, we are pretty much through to the next stage and take Trinidad (who top the group courtesy their positive run-rate) with us," he said. "We’ve got everything to play for and there is a lot of motivation in the team. We know they are a good team and it will take hard work to beat them but we have the players who can do the job," Styris continued. The Chargers are hungry, especially since they have not yet won a match at home. "We feel we have disappointed the fans by not winning on home ground. That’s really sad, but we are trying hard to change that. It’s now been eight-in-a-row (defeats at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium) and we are due for a change of luck," Styris said.

Watch out for R.P Singh

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:07:45 +0530

He called it quits from international cricket this year but Sri Lanka’s Chaminda Vaas remains an integral part of the Deccan Chargers’ bowling unit. The left-armer might have missed out during the Chargers’ first outing against Somerset CCC, but Vaas is excited to be part of the Bulls brigade. Speaking on his international retirement, Vaas said, “You must know when to call it quits. It was important for me to make way for the youngsters in the team. And they are performing remarkably.” When asked about his fitness levels since calling it a day, Vaas said, “I have been playing league games in Sri Lanka and that has kept me match fit and it is crucial. You just can’t walk into any form of the game without match fitness.” Vaas is beaming with confidence when it comes to play for the Bulls. “It is quite exciting to be part of the Chargers unit. The best aspect of this team is that everyone wants to do well and we revel in each other’s success,” he said. The Sri Lankan is quite confident of the Chargers show in the upcoming Champions League and pointed out that the conditions will play a key role in every team’s performances. “The conditions here will be different from what we have in other parts of the world. So, it will be interesting to see how the other teams adapt to that,” Vaas said. Speaking about the cultural appreciation course that the Chargers had before the start of IPL-II, Vaas said, “It did wonders to the morale of the team. It broke the ice with the newcomers in the side. We all are one big family and this has helped us both on and off the field.” On the bowlers to watch out for in the Champions League, Vaas picked up teammate Rudra Pratap Singh as his favourite. “He (R.P. Singh) had a dream run in the IPL-II and has been amongst the wickets. If he gets the ball in the right areas, the batsmen could be in serious trouble. He is our trump card,” said the 111-Test veteran. RP lived upto Vaas’ expectations picking three wickets for 23 runs in the Chargers’ first outing in the ongoing Champions League Twenty20 tournament.

Absolutely great to be home!

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:07:09 +0530

Darren Lehmann is the proud coach of the Deccan Chargers Team. We caught him in a sporty mood and got this exclusive interview for the Chargers Fans keeping in view the Airtel Champions League Tournament.

Q. Hi Coach, How does it feel to be in Hyderabad, as coach of the winning Hyderabad IPL Team?

A. Absolutely great to be home! I feel very proud coaching the Deccan Chargers. As a first time coach I was nervous, but all of them – the support staff, management, players were very supportive and that made it easy for me. The players are fantastic. I am very proud of them. The overseas senior players are very supportive of the youngsters and we were all one.

Q. How would you describe the Deccan Chargers as a team?

A. They are entertainers with great work ethics and willingness to improve and learn. They are always having fun and enjoying the game.

Q. Any special preparation for the CLT20 tournament?

A. Good to be together again. This will help us for the IPL – 3 seasons. The emphasis is fully on the fitness level of our players.

Q. What is your message to the Deccan Chargers fans?

A. Thank you for your support for the IPL -2. Looking forward to as a team, showing passion as we did in IPL-2. We will do the same for IPL-3 and try hard to get the CLT20 trophy.

Q. Who is your most admired cricketer?

A. David Hookes, my first captain, who taught me how to play cricket and always led me from the front. He taught me to always challenge myself and others. And more importantly, always encouraged me to improve.

Q. Any words about the Deccan Chargers Management?

A. The management of Deccan Chargers was fantastic. The Owners, Chairman, Director-Operations, Project Manager and all the support staff showed excellent support and encouragement.

Q. What are your views on the future of Twenty20 Cricket?

A. It is here to stay. It is an exciting format. People love it and fans are flocking to watch the game. It is definitely going to become bigger and better. It is going to bring players of all ages together and I think it is great.

Q. Your sign off note, to the Deccan Chargers fans…

A. We are looking forward to great support from you fans for the Airtel CLT20 Tournament. We are hoping to get tremendous support, as we are playing on the home ground.

Thank you, Coach, for your time. And best wishes to the Deccan Chargers for the CLT20 tournament.

Darren Lehmann - Exclusive Interview after the Semi Final

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:06:31 +0530

Darren Lehman is the highest paid coach in the Indian Premier League and not without a reason. From a player who turned out in a solitary game to a successful coach of the Deccan Chargers, the journey has been an eventful ride. Apart from keeping the media in splits and being the ever friendly tourist Lehmann has also proved his value as a hard nosed coach. Lehmann shared his thoughts on the impending final and the IPL in general during the course of this chat with this newspaper. On the final practice session: It was great to see the boys go at it in full throttle. Must remember they had a game yesterday night. It was more of a recovery session. The team has prepared in the right earnest for every game and the final was no different. On the final: It is great to be there at first place. The team showed great commitment in each training session and the results are there to show. The one day break will do us a world of good. It will help us recuperate and be fresh for the most important clash of the tournament. We have played back to back matches twice in the last one week and the boys deserved this rest. On knowing the opponents only half a day before the final: Well if it is that way then we will have to accept it and get along with the game. A break would have been fine but I am sure the organisers would have done everything possible to do it. We will follow the semi-final closely on television to try and understand them better. On the win against Delhi and the knock by Adam Gilchrist: What more do I need to say. It was a spectacular innings and I hope he has one more in store for the final. The win was indeed special. We lost to them twice in the league stage from winning positions. It was a great feeling. On the restriction on foreign players in the XI: Well it is something Lalit Modi, BCCI and the eight owners have to decide. It is never easy to leave out quality international cricketers. Probably five would be the right number but as I said earlier it is upto the above said to decide. On the multiple captains theory: It has only been given a new name. The system of senior players chipping in with their views at vital stages of the game has been going on for a long time. A skipper turning to senior players for advice is nothing new. The team will only benefit from it. The leader will only be missing on vital points if he does not take their advice.

‘Deccan Chargers is my new family’

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:02:58 +0530

Shikhar Dhawan, has amply proved his mettle during his stay at Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians. Now, part of Deccan Chargers, he says, “I am happy to be playing for Deccan Chargers. It seems to have a really chilled out team atmosphere.” Having played for two different teams before, his career trajectory in IPL truly defines what IPL stands for — good cricket and diversity. “That is the good thing about IPL. You get to play with international giants along with domestic players. It is a great way to train from them. I play Ranji cricket and IPL with the same attitude of giving my best. I get so involved in the game that I really don’t feel the pressure,” he says. But how difficult is to switch to different teams? “As a professional cricketer, you need to be flexible and mould yourself according to the needs of your team. Deccan Chargers is my new family now.” Shikhar has also fulfilled a long-cherished dream, “It was my dream to play under Sachin Tendulkar. His motivation and encouragement takes away all the pressure. I remember once I had dropped a catch. He brought back my confidence and said ‘It’s okay, you take another catch and it will all be fine’. He lifts you up when you are low and is a bundle of positive energy.” The cricketer made his debut in the world of International cricket last year against Australia, “I have been lucky enough to don the Indian uniform once.” And any plans of tying the knot? “Nah, I am too busy with game!”

Sworn to charge ahead

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:02:29 +0530

It wasn’t an everyday afternoon at ITC Kakatiya. Apart from the regular hustle-bustle related to the hospitality business, the hotel was agog with the IPL mania that has gripped the city. Admiring glances followed the players of Deccan Chargers (residing at the hotel) everywhere they went. In between a busy schedule, leg-spinner Amit Mishra, spoke to DC, about the Deccan Chargers, his career and leisure activities. Spin bowling is an art of deception! It tricks the batsman into making a mistake. For Amit Mishra, this skill in sleight of hand has been the secret of his successful career. However, unlike how the bowler disguises his deliveries, the Deccan Chargers player is straightforward, frank and simple. Amit took a hat-trick against the Deccan Chargers in the first edition of IPL while playing for the Delhi Daredevils. This season, he is playing for the Deccan Chargers! Asked about the emotional shift involved, he candidly replies, “As a professional, you give your best whichever team you are playing for. Right now, my heart, mind and body are completely devoted to Deccan Chargers.” Amit feels that the team is a nice mix of talented players. “I am very excited and looking forward to playing for the Chargers. It is a very good mix of players. In IPL, the sooner a team gels, the better. Team members need to adjust and understand each other as soon as possible. The Deccan Chargers, as a team, is bonding and gelling well, and that is definitely a good sign. Our captain Sangakkara has a wealth of experience and has seen the ups and downs of all formats of the cricket up close, which makes him a great leader.” Asked to comment on the competition to occupy top place as a spin bowler, Amit says, “The competition is very tough and everybody puts their best foot forward. For me, it is healthy competition. It does get frustrating at times but the love of the game and an optimistic attitude helps me to motivate myself and keep going. There is always a scope for improvement and I keep trying… I am working hard and hope to get back into Team India soon,” he says. On the World Cup 2011 tournament, he says, “It was a great moment for India. Personally, for me, the perfect World Cup moment was when India beat Pakistan under much pressure. That victory can never be forgotten.” And what does the bowler do when he is not on the field playing cricket? “I love listening to music. After a game, I head back home and chill out with my family. I ensure I spend as much free time I have, with my family because that is how I unwind off the field. I am not into partying,” he says. When quizzed if the 27-year-old cricketer got plans of tying the knot, he says, “There are times when my parents do speak to me about marriage but they don’t pressurise me into taking decision. They do understand that I’m focussing only on cricket now.” The player is a self-confessed foodie and can’t wait to try authentic Hyderabadi cuisine. “I have heard so much about Hyderabad’s charm and hospitality. On one of my visits, I got an opportunity to see Charminar and I hope I get to explore the city more.”

Sunny side up

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:01:50 +0530

While talking to this unobtrusive light-eyed man, you will have no inkling that the 23-year-old is the next big thing in Indian cricket. And given the stalwarts in our World Cup-winning nation, that’s saying a lot. After successful stints in Punjab’s Ranji team and in the previous versions of the IPL, Sunny Sohal will be playing for the Deccan Chargers in IPL-4 and the right-hand batsman already thinks of Hyderabad as his second home. The Chargers’ new recruit says he is having a great time bonding with the team. “It has been great. Our team is full of youngsters, so there are no ego problems or hang-ups. The teams’ coach, Darren Lehmann, is great and the support staff has also been of immense help. Sangakkara is an excellent captain, after all he got his team to the World Cup final,” says Sunny, adding, “Our team has come together like one big happy family.” Sunny, of course, won’t feel homesick with other Punjabi mundas and Ranji team-mates Gony and Harmeet also being part of the Chargers. “We had a lot of fun then (in Ranji) and we are having a lot of fun now as well,” says Sunny with a disarming grin. The cricketer, who first came under the radar at a young age when he scored a match-winning century against Jammu & Kashmir in an Under-17 league match, says that he is pumped up to play for the Deccan Chargers. “I want to be the lucky charm for the Deccan Chargers and break the jinx of not having won here in Hyderabad. I want to break records and have others look up to me. I am in the India A team, maybe this will be my launch-pad for getting into the national side.” Like most other cricketers of his generation, pressure does not figure much in Sunny’s game plan and currently he says it’s a healthy mix of workout sessions, practice and fun. Ask him about the “fun” part, and you might be a disappointed. No wild parties for this man, its movies, hanging out with his friends and listening to music (Punjabi in this case). And here’s a little tit-bit for the female fans. Sunny loves to shop. “I really like shopping, but I only go alone because others always tell me what to buy and what not to buy,” he says. Unfortunately, he still hasn’t had the time to go shopping in Hyderabad but he has managed to douse that sorrow with lots of biryani. “The food here is amazing though. I’ve been eating biryani ever since I’ve arrived in Hyderabad and I’m loving it.” Not surprisingly, Sunny says he is looking forward to one particular match: “The one against Kings XI Punjab. I can’t wait for that game. And now that I am a part of the Deccan Chargers, my family and friends are also cheering for Hyderabad.”

Beauty and the cricketer

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:58:46 +0530

He's a cricket star, heart throb and a complete gentleman. She's beauti ful, intelligent and one of the nicest people you could ever meet. It's no wonder that together, these two are quite the perfect couple. Meet Michael and Lizzie Lumb, the Deccan Chargers' very own pair of lovbirds. Their story began at a bar in Leeds, back when Michael was starting his career in county cricket and Lizzie was completely clueless about the game. “I didn't even know cricket was played in England! And when I went to meet his family for the first time, they were all watching cricket and I had to ask them what an over was,“ exclaims Lizzie. But it's been six-and-half years since, and they've both come a long way. Michael went on to play World Twenty20 cricket and made his IPL debut last year while Lizzie learnt everything there is about cricket. This season, Lumb was picked up by the Chargers. Though their performance has not been the best so far, he is sure that it will pick up as the tournament progresses. “It is still very early in the competition, and the team is figuring things out. I'm sure we'll bounce back soon. Our performance against RCB shows that we are capable of it,“ he says. His wife Lizzie is in complete agreement. “It's hard to watch them lose when you know just how good they are and what they're capable of. But they still have a lot of matches to go, and they'll do well,“ she says. Being married to a cricketer is clearly not an easy task. With his travelling and her career goals, how do they manage to keep the spark alive after all these years? “To make a relationship work, you have to make an effort. I try to travel with him as much as I can. That is a perk in itself since I get to visit some beautiful places,“ says Lizzie. Talking of beautiful places, Hyderabad is definitely on that list. “We've been to a couple of malls and we've also visited Falaknuma and some markets where we bought some beautiful bangles and souvenirs for our family and friends.“ Though they've been enjoying their stay here, Michael won't have Lizzie by his side for the next few matches as she has to go back to look after their puppy -a common love they share. The couple enjoys travelling, and looking forward to their long overdue honeymoon. “It's been over a year since our wedding, but we haven't had a honeymoon as yet. Sanga has really been selling Sri Lanka to us, so maybe that will be our next holiday destination,“ says Michael.

STEYN GUNS FOR GLORY

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:58:09 +0530

Fast bowlers they say hunt in pairs but Dale `quick death' Steyn is a different breed. Equipped with a splendid skillset and strong self-belief, the South African seamer is a one-man army, capable of bombing the rivals in a solo sortie. Having made his mark in the Tests as well as the ODIs, the 27-year-old is now looking at turning things around in the batsman-dominated T20s. “Yes, it is a batsman's game but I'd like to make a difference with the ball,“ an uber-confident Steyn told this newspaper. “I want to run in and bowl as quick as I can, in the right areas, knock over a few stumps, get a few balls whizzing past the ears of opposition batters as I give my 100 per cent,“ he adds, words that are sure to cause discomfiture among Deccan Chargers' competitors. What is it about bowling fast? “It's a good feeling... gives you a real high,“ is the quick reply. “If you look up the scoreboard and it reads 150 (kmph) or whatever, it kind of gives you a kick and says you're headed in the right direction, so keep going. That's the nice thing about the speed gun,“ he explains. The unpredictable nature of IPL makes rivals out of teammates and vice-versa over the seasons but Steyn says that will have no bearing on his no-holds-barred approach. “If you recall the recent World Cup quarterfinal, there was a bit of pushing and shoving between South African and New Zealand players when A.B. de Villiers got out. But Faf du Plessis told me at the start of the IPL that he was actually sitting with the enemy — two New Zealand blokes — by the hotel poolside, and we just laughed it off. Things do happen on and off the field but I do not see any reason why I should drop aggression when I am passionate about something on the field,“ he says. That was very much evident from his 3 for 24 that powered the Chargers' to their first victory at home, against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Steyn's former franchise. The toughie is a touch superstitious too, and it's about the shoes. “If a pair of shoes works for me in a game, that's it. Those will be cut out for just the matches. I don't use them in practice.“ But on second thoughts, he declares “superstition is all in your mind and does not have any effect on the opposition!“ Steyn feels he stands tall thanks to his relatively short height. “I am lucky that I am not as tall as guys like Ishant (Sharma) or Morne (Morkel). Their strengths are their heights and they get good bounce in places like South Africa, Australia and England. In India, the wickets stay a bit low and slow. I am pretty short and skiddy so I kind of fit perfectly in between — I can bowl nicely on Indian wickets as well as in South African, English and Australian conditions,” he says, before adding with a smile: “I’ve got a bit of pace to back it up as well, which helps.” Contrary to the notion involving pacemen, Steyn is very much comfortable at Indian venues. “All the grounds in India are flat and are not bow-shaped from the wicket to the boundary as in other countries, where you feel you’re running uphill as you come in to bowl — the two things fast bowlers hate is running uphill to bowl and bowling into the wind. I’ve had much success on tracks in Kolkata, Mumbai and Bangalore. I am hoping to do the same here in Hyderabad,” he says. Steyn also does not agree with players who complain of too much cricket. “It all depends on individuals. This is something we’ve been brought up with. Ever since I’ve made my international debut, I have had a long gap — three years or something like that — in which I was playing domestic cricket for six months and domestic cricket everywhere else in the world for another six months, including the SA ‘A’ games. It (the schedule) has been pretty much jampacked then as well. Nothing’s really changed, except that the level of competition has increased and you get to play in front of more people,” he says, ever ready for the grind. Carry on Steyn.

‘With Kumar as captain, we have a good chance’

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:57:40 +0530

Deccan Chronicle caught up with Dale Steyn as he was practising for the IPL-4 matches. One of cricket’s best fast bowlers, Steyn says he is happy to be playing for the Deccan Chargers. “The nice thing is that there is a new team, new environment. I feel really good playing for a team that has already won the trophy,” he says. Q How do you cope up with such a hectic schedule? You just finished playing the World Cup a few days back. “I kind of grew up playing cricket all the time. In my career I have always played non-stop. It is nothing new.” Q Don’t you miss your family while travelling? “I Skype! We all do, but we can’t complain when we are getting paid so much to do something we love to do. And if you’re missing your family, fly them in … and that is what I am doing. I am flying down my family and friends for a match here and will be a guide and show them the city!” Q Do you think IPL helped players to perform well during the World Cup? “There are analysts talking about this all the time. It’s no secret how to get a player out. If you are playing together with other players in a team and then playing against them at another level, you can use your knowledge of their game against them.” Q What are Indian fast bowlers lacking? “There are some good bowlers here. I was watching one of the domestic matches here during the World Cup, and there was this young guy who was playing up in Delhi. He was bowling well over 150 km. I do not know which team he is playing for. I always wanted to be a fast bowler ever since I was a small boy. But whenever I come to India I see that there are millions of spinners in the nets. Maybe that is what young kids are looking up to here in India.” Q You are known to be very aggressive on the field. Does that affect your bowling in any way? “Am I aggressive? I come across as being very aggressive, but I am not! It’s just that I am a fast bowler and I play that role! If you see a fast bowler running in with a smile on his face, it seems like he can hammer the guy! So you got to play the role and show intent in your body language.” Q Do you want Kristen to coach the South African team now? “There are many good coaches who are there to coach the Proteas side. After winning the World Cup everyone wants him. He knows the recipe to win the Cup and he is a South African! Who wouldn’t like to have a coach like him.” Q Do you think the Deccan Chargers will win their second trophy? “Certainly, I hope so. With Kumar being the captain, we have a good chance.”

Ishant hits the right notes

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:56:54 +0530

There is no purer joy in the game than watching a genuine fast bowler running in hard with the crowd behind him. Against the Kochi Tuskers Kerala here on Wedmesday night, Ishant Sharma provided that and a cluster of wickets in probably the best exhibition of quick bowling in the IPL. Let the effort not be undermined by the cynics just because it came in the shortest format. To skittle out five batsmen in 11 deliveries requires exceptional energy and the Deccan Chargers speedster mixed that in the right proportion with cricket intelligence to dismantle the Tuskers. Bowlers getting carried away on helpful tracks is a story as old as the hills. Ishant showed fine maturity in handling the conditions. “The pressure is always there irrespective of the wicket. It's crucial to stick to the basics on a seaming track and not try too much. We kept the ball in the right areas and things worked out well,“ he said after his man of the match performance. Defending a small total demands self-belief and Ishant ushered that in with quick wickets. Much the team man he is, the Delhi lad also paid eloquent tributes to his partner Dale Steyn. “We thought a target in the region of 120-30 should be defendable. To bowl along with Steyn has been a huge help and he getting Brendon McCullum early set the game up. It helps when there is pressure created from both ends,“ added Ishant. While Ishant has been India's durable force in Test cricket along with Zaheer Khan, the same cannot be said of his showing in limited overs, but there are definite signs of improvement. With a packed calendar ahead, the national squad will be looking at rotating the fast bowlers and a comeback for Ishant looks on the cards sooner rather than later. The seamer himself was not ready to look too far ahead. Having missed the World Cup, Ishant's IPL wickets should help him regain confidence and rhythm though. “Making a return to the Indian team is a By S. PERVEZ QAISER long way off. There is a lot of work to be done. I have been working on a few as pects of my game, mostly technical, have laid stress on fitness too. “Thanks to Zaheer Khan for helping me out during the last few months. I am not thinking of selection at the moment but looking at improving myself as a bowler. I'll be selected if I keep performing,“ conclud ed a confident Ishant.

Amit Mishra -`I'm just not a Test bowler'

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:56:08 +0530

With the seniors being rested for the West Indies ODI tour, the onus is on the youngsters to showcase their mettle and leggie Amit Mishra, who edged out Pragyan Ojha as the third spinner for the fivematch series, is raring to have a go in the limited overs segment. Deccan Chargers' Mishra has been impressive with his control and variations and his economy rate has been impressive enough. Having been billed as a Test bowler until now, Mishra, is keen to get rid of the tag and prove himself in all three formats. “I don't know who has said that I'm a Test bowler. I have been bowling in the IPL for the past four years and have been among the leading wicket-takers. I have been performing at all levels. I don't think I'm only a Test bowler,“ said Mishra, who came up with an all-round show to power the Chargers to a stunning win over the Mumbai Indians on Saturday. On being told that even a national selector had pegged him as a Test bowler, Mishra reasoned, “I just don't know... I'm trying to prove myself whenever I'm playing, be it the Ranji or domestic level. I'm always trying to better myself.“ But he is happy that his part of the Indian squad for the ODIs. “I always try to give my best at whatever I do. I'm happy that I'm in the team.“ Though not usually aggressive, Mishra was caught up in the heat of the moment and engaged in some tough words with Munaf Patel in the field on Saturday. Having been riled up, he smashed the medium-pacer for four boundaries to take a heavy toll off the final over bowled by Munaf. “It happens. It's not that it has never happened with me before. It's just that I have never shown my anger on the field but `aaj gussa ho gaya'.“ “I felt that (Munaf's over) was the turning point of the match. About 22-23 runs came of that over. We also bowled and fielded well,“ the leggie added.

Want to finish IPL on a high - KUMAR SANGAKKARA

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:55:06 +0530

It was great to get a win against Mumbai on Sat urday, although once again we made life harder for us than it should have been. Nevertheless, a win is a win and it does not matter that our chances of qualification have already evaporated. Every game is important as we try to climb the table. I was really happy for the guys. We've not had the greatest season in the world, but all the players and the coaching staff have been giving it everything and working really hard. I can't fault the boys for their effort and commitment so it was great to carve out a memorable win together. Obviously the turning point of the game was the final over of our innings. Up until that point we had been controlled by Mumbai's bowlers ever since my dismissal in the 8th over. Having got a solid start it was important for me to capitalise and very frustrating that I did not. Mishy (Mishra), though, did brilliantly to hit four boundaries and steal 24 precious runs. Realistically, if we had finished with around 120, which was likely before the last six balls, Mumbai would have probably cruised home. That really changed the momentum of the game and gave us a platform to apply some pressure. We still needed to perform, though, with the ball and the first six overs were crucial. Our plans worked nicely with JP (Duminy) and Ishant who were superb. I was also really impressed with Anand Rajan in his first IPL game. The fact that I was confident enough to entrust him with the final over is testament to just how well he did. He's a talented 24-year-old and he should be very proud of finishing with 3/27. The next challenge is the Pune Warriors and it will be my last game in the tournament. I'm really determined that we finish this tournament on a high and I know everyone in the franchise feels the same. Pune, though, will also be keen to finish their maiden campaign on a high so we play some top cricket.

Home away from home for Dale

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:54:40 +0530

Deccan Chargers pacer Dale Steyn speaks about his love for all things Hyderabad and cricket. "HYDERABAD HAS BECOME A HOME FOR US. IT'S A RELIEF TO COME BACK HERE AFTER PLAYING AN AWAY GAME." He's known to terrorise batsmen across the world, and according to West Indian legend, Michael Holding, Dale Steyn is the only genuine fast bowler in the world. Steyn, one of the more popular acquisitions by the Deccan Chargers this year, has the crowd everytime he marks his run-up. Being a fast bowler is a bit like being a race-car driver, it's all about speed and life is perpetually in the fast lane. The biggest fillip for a fast bowler is when he knows the batsman is afraid to face him. “Over the years, when someone makes you angry or gets under your skin, there's not much that you can do; whereas as a fast bowler, you can actually scare them. I enjoy bowling at someone and getting close enough to see the whites of their eyes,“ says Steyn, with that all too familiar, hard glint in his steely blue eyes. But for a fast bowler, it can be very difficult to maintain that level of intensity throughout the season, especially as there's so much cricket played these days. “It gets very difficult, to be honest; especially when you're not winning. For example, with the Chargers, when there were still five games left and we needed to win every one of them, the boys were all pumped up and ready to go but now, as there's no chance of us making the play-offs, we have nothing to play for. The solution to that is, regardless of whether your team wins or not, you always play for personal pride. That way, you always give your best.“ After having spent as much time as he has away from home and in Hyderabad, Steyn has start ed to consider the city a second home. “Hyderabad has been really nice; I enjoyed it a lot here. The hotel's been nice and I truly enjoyed going out and doing all the local things. It has become a very nice sort of base camp, a home for us. Whenever we go out to play an away game, it's a relief to come back to Hyderabad because it's such a familiar place.“ He also has his favourite haunts in the city. Without a moment's hesitation, Steyn rattles off the places he likes to hang out at. “When my girlfriend was here, the GVK One mall was my favourite haunt. For dinner, I would invariably head to the Hard Rock Café, they make good steak. It's a great place if you want to just have food, socialise and enjoy some good music.“ On the road with the Deccan Chargers, who have built some momentum, Dale Steyn and indeed, the Chargers look like they're going to end the season with a bang and come back next year and start afresh.

Chargers show Mettle @ Ranji Trophy

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:53:53 +0530

Ranji Match Updates : Chargers are at it again. The dashing Deccan Chargers' Opener Ishank Jaggi slammed skillful 188 (23 x 4) to propel his team Jharkand to reach 373 in reply to Assam's 1st innings total of 502. It was his usual charisma once again and wonderful show of batting prowess. In other match at Bangalore the Champion Middle Order Batsman Bharat Chipli aggresive batting kept bowlers at bay as he remained unbeaten on 159* before Karnataka declared at 503. The Chargers' hero slammed 18 boundaries & 3 huge sixes.. Manpreet "the sting" Gony rattled Railways with 4 early strikes and eventually finished 5/91 to restrict opposition for 273, securing crucial lead of 93 runs in the match being played at PCA stadium, Mohali. In a crunch match being played at Rohtak, star Chargers' Spinner, Amit Mishra battled his way to pick 4/58 and restrict Bengal to 339. Haryana secured 1st innings lead by 19 runs which might get them winner points basis 1st innings lead despite brilliant century by Sourav Ganguly.

Dance Dance Dance !!

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:52:49 +0530

Vital Statistics Name: Niqueline Schlechter Date of Birth: 1986/07/01 Place of Residence: Bloemfontein Occupation: Professional Dancer Favourites Drink: Savanna Light, Tequila Holiday destination: Seychelles Celebrity: Nicole Scherzinger Sport: Skydiving Questions Q: How long have you been dancing? A: Before I could walk ;-) Professional and competition since the age of 10. Q: How did you get the opportunity to dance in the IPL? A: Did an audition and got chosen to go with 40 other SA girls. We made 4 teams of 10 girls. Q: Where you attached to a single team, or where you assigned certain games? A: A Single team; the Deccan chargers. Q: What did you think of India, does it compare to SA? A: I simply loved India! The culture and especially the cuisine is so different and interesting. Loved the shopping there too! Got quite a few good “DEALS”, but personally no other country can compare to SA and the opportunities here. Home is where the heart is. Q: What do you do in your spare time? Any hobbies? A: Skydiving! Simply love it! Have done 40 jumps so far and definitely getting more between travels. I’m a bit of a party animal, love dancing till the early mornings. Q: Do you have any advice for girls who are aspiring to do what you do? A: Never give up keep on practising and your dreams, keep an open mind to all dance styles. And go to auditions since it really is the only way to be seen Q: Can our readers follow you on Twitter or add you on Facebook? A: Yes Twitter account @niquelines or Niqueline Schlechter on Facebook So there you have it, an interesting insight into the life of a professional dancer. We would like to thank Niqueline for taking time out and answering our questions, and wish her nothing but success for the future. courtesy : outsidethe22.co.za