<p>He, however, added that if Ganguly is successful in instilling confidence in the Yuvraj Singh-led side, they would be a difficult team to handle.<br /><br />"It's all played in the field. You can talk to players as much as you want. I think Gary (Kirsten) did it well for India but he had a three-year plan. So to bring Ganguly now and to expect him to make a big difference on and off the field is a big ask," the former South African batsman told reporters ahead of Mumbai's clash against Pune at the D Y Patil stadium here tomorrow.<br /><br />"It's obviously a step which they believe is in the right direction. He is a player with great experience and knowledge about the game. And also someone who the young Indian players look upto. Sure he was one of the most successful Indian captain, he didn't win the World Cup but his Test record was brilliant.<br /><br />"You want your local players to perform well. We have (Ambati) Rayudu, Satish, Munaf, Harbhajan. Our local players are playing good cricket. That is what Yuvraj is hoping that Ganguly comes and does. It's not about international players. It's about the positive energy they bring into play."<br /><br />"They were a dangerous team before he came and if he is able to bring in more confidence, they will become a team that will be pretty difficult to handle," he added.<br />Rhodes said though Pune Warriors are on a losing spree, Sachin Tendulkar's team will not take them lightly as things can change pretty quickly in T20 cricket.<br /><br />"They won their first two matches at home. They are a side we are playing on their home turf. I'm sure they will be talking about how well they have played in their backyard in the past. We know they have got some good players in their side. One knock from Yuvraj can put them back into (contention).<br /><br />"I think that is where we are fortunate in having a guy like Sachin Tendulkar. He is not only a icon in India by reputation but by performance as well. All it takes is one knock from Yuvraj."<br /><br />"We are expecting a tough game. In 20 overs one person can change the game in five overs and win the game for any side. We are looking to do well," he added.<br /><br />Asked whether Mumbai Indians were aiming to qualify for the play-off by winning their next two games, he said, "We are taking it one step at a time. But our aim is not just to qualify for the play-offs. We want to finish first and want want to finish first in the tournament."</p>
<p>He, however, added that if Ganguly is successful in instilling confidence in the Yuvraj Singh-led side, they would be a difficult team to handle.<br /><br />"It's all played in the field. You can talk to players as much as you want. I think Gary (Kirsten) did it well for India but he had a three-year plan. So to bring Ganguly now and to expect him to make a big difference on and off the field is a big ask," the former South African batsman told reporters ahead of Mumbai's clash against Pune at the D Y Patil stadium here tomorrow.<br /><br />"It's obviously a step which they believe is in the right direction. He is a player with great experience and knowledge about the game. And also someone who the young Indian players look upto. Sure he was one of the most successful Indian captain, he didn't win the World Cup but his Test record was brilliant.<br /><br />"You want your local players to perform well. We have (Ambati) Rayudu, Satish, Munaf, Harbhajan. Our local players are playing good cricket. That is what Yuvraj is hoping that Ganguly comes and does. It's not about international players. It's about the positive energy they bring into play."<br /><br />"They were a dangerous team before he came and if he is able to bring in more confidence, they will become a team that will be pretty difficult to handle," he added.<br />Rhodes said though Pune Warriors are on a losing spree, Sachin Tendulkar's team will not take them lightly as things can change pretty quickly in T20 cricket.<br /><br />"They won their first two matches at home. They are a side we are playing on their home turf. I'm sure they will be talking about how well they have played in their backyard in the past. We know they have got some good players in their side. One knock from Yuvraj can put them back into (contention).<br /><br />"I think that is where we are fortunate in having a guy like Sachin Tendulkar. He is not only a icon in India by reputation but by performance as well. All it takes is one knock from Yuvraj."<br /><br />"We are expecting a tough game. In 20 overs one person can change the game in five overs and win the game for any side. We are looking to do well," he added.<br /><br />Asked whether Mumbai Indians were aiming to qualify for the play-off by winning their next two games, he said, "We are taking it one step at a time. But our aim is not just to qualify for the play-offs. We want to finish first and want want to finish first in the tournament."</p>