Led by Yuvraj Singh in the absence of Harbhajan Singh, Punjab kick-started their Ranji Trophy season with an outright win against Railways in Mohali. The team will be riding on the confidence of the thumping win when they take on Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium on October 8, 2015.
It was an all-round performance by Punjab which earned them seven points at the start of the Ranji Trophy 2015-16 season. Speaking about the strengths of the team ahead of the second round match, Yuvraj said, “The batsmen have been playing for a while now. Manan (Vohara), Mandeep (Singh), Jiwanjot (Singh), these guys have been doing well for a while. But our biggest strength has been Brainder Sran this year. He bowled really well in the last game, so did Siddharth Kaul and Maninder (Singh). A couple of our players got injured. I see a very good bowling side and I see a unit who is capable of winning the Ranji Trophy.”
Speaking about the opposition, the Punjab captain said, “Mumbai has always been a consistent side. Whether they start well or not, they always land up in the final four. They have won the competition more than 35 times and Karnataka is one side which is doing really well so great opportunity for us guys to do well over here. Punjab has always done well here. We had a very good start (to the season) so just (have to) capitalise on that.”
Discussing where Punjab lies vis a vis Mumbai and Karnataka, he mentioned “I think Punjab started really well last year, (but in the) last three games we didn’t do well so that’s why we didn’t qualify. I think we started well (this season) and we need to be consistent. We always reach the quarter-final and semi-final but we are not able to win the finals. In the 50-over and T20 we went to the finals so I think that’s one area that we need to improve to win a major tournament.”
While they look to build on the successful start as they eye the trophy, the team will be without the services of Gurkeerat Singh Mann, who scored a double-century to set up the win in the first match. Reflecting on how his absence will affect the team, Yuvraj said, “Yes, Gurkeerat has been batting really well but I am happy that he has gone where he deserves to be (national ODI squad). So this is an opportunity for other guys to come in and bat so that’s good. It’s good competition.
“Instead of Gurkeerat, Himanshu Chawla will play. At the moment that’s the only change. Rest we will decide after looking at the wicket,” he added while speaking about the changes.
Asked how he keeps himself motivated the experienced all-rounder said, “It’s just that passion to play the game. I was speaking to Sachin (Tendulkar) last year and he said that obviously the most important thing is to play for India but don’t forget to enjoy the game. As young kids we always played the game to enjoy it we never knew that we were going to play for India. I just want to play and enjoy my cricket. If I get opportunity to come back and play for India I look forward to that. These are the games which will give me opportunity to come back so I am trying my best. I had six weeks of good off season training and practicing so hopefully it comes through in the games.”
Looking at the World T20 on the horizon, he said, “A World Cup is a World Cup whether it is T20 or 50 overs. It’s always an honour to play another World Cup. I am not thinking so far ahead I am just thinking (about it) game by game how my game is going, how I can improve so that’s what my target is.”
