The confidence in the camp has zoomed to a new high after the close finish as we had against the Kolkata Knight Riders. The boys are all on a new high after such a terrific win. That is the benefit of coming out on top in a close encounter.
When the match ended in a tie, it was known to me that I would be opening the batting and I was confident I could close out the game. The Super Over was a challenge because it meant that we had to score the winning runs in one over. It was an experience in itself.
The confidence of our captain Shane Warne obviously has had a great impact on the way we have performed. He had so much confidence in my ability in the Super Over that it helped a great deal in the way I batted. I just like the way our captain reposes faith in all of us, especially the youngsters. He takes decisions based on the situation and backs the boys completely. He only says one thing: ‘You can do it’.
One other reason I will remember the game is because I bowled first up with the new ball. I’ve bowled in the Powerplay previously, but never the first over. The pitch was gripping a bit, taking a bit of turn. Yet it was a challenge as Gayle and McCullum were batting against me. The field was up, so bowling that spell was a great experience.
{{/usCountry}}One other reason I will remember the game is because I bowled first up with the new ball. I’ve bowled in the Powerplay previously, but never the first over. The pitch was gripping a bit, taking a bit of turn. Yet it was a challenge as Gayle and McCullum were batting against me. The field was up, so bowling that spell was a great experience.
{{/usCountry}}People might wonder at the amazing mind of Warne and we all should, because he thinks two steps ahead of everyone else. I had been told two days before the game that I need to be ready to bowl with the new ball. They said they would look at the pitch and take a decision. But I was mentally prepared to bowl. When you are told in advance like this, then it is easy for you to prepare as a player. That’s the reason I came good with the new ball. TCM