"We got Darren (Lehmann) as coach and we won the title. He is back with us," the World Cup-winning Aussie recalled his success with Hyderabad in 2009.
The Punjab skipper, however, said that his boys would be wary of a star-packed Pune, whom they take on at the Gahunje stadium on Sunday.
"Pune finished last (in 2012) but everyone knows that in this format anyone can beat anyone. There are world class players in every team and it's about getting the best out of the squad. Pune have the capability," he said.
He might as well have spoken about his own team. Both Pune and Punjab have failed to hit the right notes in the competition so far. If the Sahara-owned franchise's familiar woes with the top order came to the fore in their opener against Hyderabad on Friday, Punjab will soon find out where they stand after finishing an ordinary sixth last year.
Gilchrist, relieved of the burden of coaching, will hope to reproduce some of his old magic. "Yes, it will allow me to concentrate more on my batting. Besides, I have had more time to prepare for this edition than any other. I was injured last year, but this year I have had more time to reflect on what needs to be done," he said.
Punjab will also be without Shaun Marsh, who has blown hot and cold for a while and is recovering after undergoing a hamstring surgery. The focus would also be on Luke Pomersbach, roped in from Bangalore, and Praveen Kumar, both of whom have had disciplinary issues in the past.
Coach Lehmann batted for them. "We want them to focus on their cricket, their roles in the team. They have an important part to play and will be treated the same way as any other player, junior or senior. They have the hunger and desire to do well and we want them to enjoy their cricket," he said.
On the flip side, Pune will be worried by the continued poor form of Manish Pandey.
0 comments:
Post a Comment