Mumbai:
© BCCI
Mumbai Indians (MI) coach Ricky Pointing on Sunday said their first match against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 8 will be a big challenge for his team.
Mumbai will face 2014 Indian Premier League (IPL) champions KKR at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday. (Ponting Heaps Praise on Rohit Sharma's Leadership )
"We have got a big challenge ahead against Kolkata on Wednesday. They are the defending champions and are playing at home," Ponting said at the team's pre-season press conference here.
The 40-year-old said the preparations have been good for the team and the attitude of the players has been spot on. (Ponting Backs On-field Verbal Duels )
"These few days the preparations have been great and I loved the attitude of the players, it has been spot on. Players have worked hard at the training session," he said.
The former Australia skipper wasn't quite successful as a player for KKR and MI in IPL. (Narine's Bowling Action Cleared by BCCI )
When asked how big a challenge is this to coach a team in a Twenty20 format, he said, "I have been involved in this format for quite a long time. Last couple of years I have been commentating in T20 cricket back in Australia."
"I am understanding how the game is played. Understanding more and more of the tactical side of the game. I will make sure my players are 100 percent prepared."
With on-field verbal spats being a part and parcel of IPL over the years, the former Australia World Cup-winning captain said it's a part of the game but players shouldn't cross the line.
"It's a part of the game. But players do have to understand where the line is and not cross it," Ponting said.
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