Mumbai, Nov 10: Rajasthan began their encounter against Ranji royalty Mumbai on a high note with skipper Hrishikesh Kanitkar propelling the visitors to a total of 309 at the end of Day 1. Kanitkar, who was unbeaten on 129 when stumps were called, believes that the side still had a long way to considering the daunting Mumbai batting line-up.
Excerpts from the end of day press conference:
On his strategy for the game
Just occupy the crease and get runs because it’s a good wicket and [we need a lot of] runs because they have a very good batting line-up. [The plan is to] get as many runs as possible because Bombay [Mumbai] can chase down [a] big total also. So [we] can’t get complacent and we need to put up a big total. [We have] no figure in mind.
On what would be a good target to set for Mumbai
Really can’t say [what would be a good total] because [if] somebody like Rohit [Sharma] or somebody plays for a long time, [we can be in trouble]. I really can’t set a target. [It’s] actually difficult to say what will be a safe target.
On his innings so far
I just kept batting and that’s how it happened, it wasn’t a plan. One of my better knocks, it was good. Hopefully it will be for a winning cause.
On having played in Mumbai in the past
Yes, I have played here a bit so I am very comfortable playing Mumbai; that helped.
On Rashmi Parida’s 67-run knock
Parida batted well. He is very experienced. He is a touch player and he is playing really well. It is very unfortunate that he got out at the end.
On the Mumbai bowling
They have a good bowling attack. They tried a whole 90 overs, they put everything into it. We also batted really well. We had a good day but I really can’t say they were wanting in any way.
On the Brabourne stadium wicket
It’s a good wicket. There is a bit of help for the bowlers also but it’s definitely a good batting track.
On what his advice to his bowlers would be
Let’s see; first I will finish my batting.
On the quality of the competition
Definitely teams will be better prepared; a lot of strong contestants are there. It is always a challenge for us competing [in] each and every game and playing consistently.
On his team’s commendable performance in the last season
We have a good team. Last year we stuck with the same set of guys for all the matches; 16 guys played all the matches. So that’s been one of the things – we haven’t chopped and changed a lot. And because the same set of guys is playing they play as a team also.
On whether Rajasthan felt the pressure of being defending champions
Definitely not because we have [only] won it once – we are playing against a team that has won it 39 times […] so there is no pressure. We are still learning; [Mumbai] have already won so many times.”
On their recent defeat in the Irani Cup
Irani was important for us to realise that [the] last season had passed and it was a good wake-up call to pull up our socks and really work hard. So hopefully we have done that and hopefully we will keep playing well.
