KOLKATA: Zaheer Khan's aggression was in full show on Thursday. The RCB pace lynchpin didn't actually bowl at the reporters, but was responding to a query at the match-eve press conference.
Asked whether Royal Challengers Bangalore's IPL 4 campaign is under threat after three straight defeats, India's No. 1 pace bowler shot back: "A few games have not gone our way. But we are up for it. We love a challenge. And we are looking to gain momentum and capitalize on it."
Both Zaheer and coach Ray Jennings admitted that fielding has been RCB's bane. "We have to drastically improve our fielding," Jennings said, adding: "Our batters and bowlers have done well but their good work is getting undone by some atrocious fielding."
"We have done some extra work in this area which will show shortly," chipped in Zaheer.
Chris Gayle is fit and raring to go but Jennings refused to confirm whether the West Indies opener will take the field on Friday against Kolkata Knight Riders. "I'm not too sure (whether he will play)... We haven't decided on the composition yet. Having said that, Gayle is a quality player and is definitely an option."
He confirmed that Tillakaratne Dilshan, who didn't land with the squad but arrived later from Sri Lanka, will open on Friday. "He hasn't fired yet and is due for runs, but tomorrow could be his day," said Jennings.
On being asked whether the Indian players are struggling to maintain their intensity after the World Cup triumph, Zaheer said: "Not at all. IPL is only 20 overs and it isn't hard to keep up the focus. And if anything, the World Cup win has made us more confident that we can do on the field what we do best."
Zaheer, who used the reverse swing so effectively in the World Cup, admitted that he is finding it difficult to use it in the IPL.
"Reverse swing is difficult in a 20-over game because the ball doesn't get scuffed up enough. It remains relatively new and hard and makes it tough to swing it the other way."
Zaheer said KKR's loss against Kochi Tuskers Kerala indicates that it is an open field this year. "This is a very open tournament. Anybody can beat anybody. KKR's loss has worked in our favour and if we can beat them tomorrow, we will be right back in the tournament."
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Asked whether Royal Challengers Bangalore's IPL 4 campaign is under threat after three straight defeats, India's No. 1 pace bowler shot back: "A few games have not gone our way. But we are up for it. We love a challenge. And we are looking to gain momentum and capitalize on it."
Both Zaheer and coach Ray Jennings admitted that fielding has been RCB's bane. "We have to drastically improve our fielding," Jennings said, adding: "Our batters and bowlers have done well but their good work is getting undone by some atrocious fielding."
"We have done some extra work in this area which will show shortly," chipped in Zaheer.
Chris Gayle is fit and raring to go but Jennings refused to confirm whether the West Indies opener will take the field on Friday against Kolkata Knight Riders. "I'm not too sure (whether he will play)... We haven't decided on the composition yet. Having said that, Gayle is a quality player and is definitely an option."
He confirmed that Tillakaratne Dilshan, who didn't land with the squad but arrived later from Sri Lanka, will open on Friday. "He hasn't fired yet and is due for runs, but tomorrow could be his day," said Jennings.
On being asked whether the Indian players are struggling to maintain their intensity after the World Cup triumph, Zaheer said: "Not at all. IPL is only 20 overs and it isn't hard to keep up the focus. And if anything, the World Cup win has made us more confident that we can do on the field what we do best."
Zaheer, who used the reverse swing so effectively in the World Cup, admitted that he is finding it difficult to use it in the IPL.
"Reverse swing is difficult in a 20-over game because the ball doesn't get scuffed up enough. It remains relatively new and hard and makes it tough to swing it the other way."
Zaheer said KKR's loss against Kochi Tuskers Kerala indicates that it is an open field this year. "This is a very open tournament. Anybody can beat anybody. KKR's loss has worked in our favour and if we can beat them tomorrow, we will be right back in the tournament."
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