<p>We face the last years winners, Deccan Chargers, in our first match. Though they are the defending champions I am pretty sure they will have to start from scratch like any other team in this tournament.<br /><br />The four overseas cricketers for the Chargers are Andrew Symonds, Herschelle Gibbs, Chaminda Vaas and skipper Adam Gilchrist, some fire-power in that line-up! Gilli and company must be happy to be playing their home matches away from Hyderabad because they have a horrible record at home. Out of the nine matches they played at their home, they have won none, which would have definitely had a bearing on their mind had they been playing there this year also. Maybe the change of 'home' will bring better luck to Gilchrist and company in the new season.<br /><br />The DY Patil stadium is a treat to the eye. I had never seen it beforeand I was pleasantly surprised by the first look of the stadium. The wicket has been newly relaid, the person in-charge of the 22 yards is an ex-international and my one time colleague Abbey Kuruvilla. I am sure he will be providing us a wicket which will have just the right kind of bounce and carry to facilitate both the fast bowlers and the stroke-makers. A good pitch with even pace and bounce, at times, evens out the contest. <br /><br />We do have a bowling which can exploit any given condition. There is a group of fast bowlers, who I am sure will generate pace on any sort of wicket. As a captain I am very much looking up to them to provide early break-throughs. We really have prepared well for this year’s tournament. We not only practised round the year, but have also proceeded carefully and cautiously in spotting a few talented Indian youngsters. <br /><br />The likes of Manoj Tewari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Dinda and Murali Karthik have a fantastic platform for themselves. <br /><br /><em>Professional Management Group</em></p>
<p>We face the last years winners, Deccan Chargers, in our first match. Though they are the defending champions I am pretty sure they will have to start from scratch like any other team in this tournament.<br /><br />The four overseas cricketers for the Chargers are Andrew Symonds, Herschelle Gibbs, Chaminda Vaas and skipper Adam Gilchrist, some fire-power in that line-up! Gilli and company must be happy to be playing their home matches away from Hyderabad because they have a horrible record at home. Out of the nine matches they played at their home, they have won none, which would have definitely had a bearing on their mind had they been playing there this year also. Maybe the change of 'home' will bring better luck to Gilchrist and company in the new season.<br /><br />The DY Patil stadium is a treat to the eye. I had never seen it beforeand I was pleasantly surprised by the first look of the stadium. The wicket has been newly relaid, the person in-charge of the 22 yards is an ex-international and my one time colleague Abbey Kuruvilla. I am sure he will be providing us a wicket which will have just the right kind of bounce and carry to facilitate both the fast bowlers and the stroke-makers. A good pitch with even pace and bounce, at times, evens out the contest. <br /><br />We do have a bowling which can exploit any given condition. There is a group of fast bowlers, who I am sure will generate pace on any sort of wicket. As a captain I am very much looking up to them to provide early break-throughs. We really have prepared well for this year’s tournament. We not only practised round the year, but have also proceeded carefully and cautiously in spotting a few talented Indian youngsters. <br /><br />The likes of Manoj Tewari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Dinda and Murali Karthik have a fantastic platform for themselves. <br /><br /><em>Professional Management Group</em></p>
