Loss against Punjab hurt Delhi

Tillekeratne Dilshan

The loss against Kings XI Punjab obviously hurt, but it was obvious that we could have batted a lot better. The start was good, and Gautam seemed to have found his bearing on that wicket, when the two successive run-outs changed the complexion of the game. I thought that a total of 130-140 would have made it a trifle more interesting, but full marks to the manner in which Punjab played.

Speaking of the wicket, there is no doubt that the 22-yard strip has changed in complexion throughout the country due to the sun beating down hard. However, the issue is a tad more profound at the Kotla, where the behaviour of the surface has meant that we need to plan accordingly.

Coverage: IPL 2010

In the game against Punjab, we knew that it would play slower than it has throughout the season, but did not expect it to take so much turn from the very start. In fact, in the very first over that Ramesh Powar bowled, the ball turned almost square; pitching on the leg stump and going away from the bat. Luckily, the practice wickets at the Kotla also play as slow as the main one, and that allows us the opportunity to understand what is to come for the remaining game.

Of course, when we are playing in any game, we endeavour to ensure that irrespective of the pitch or the weather conditions, the side goes out there, and gives out their best. We have some important games to be played, and all the three games are on three contrasting tracks at Mumbai, Chennai and back home at the Kotla. We do change the way in which we prepare based on the track on offer, especially, if we know that it is going to very obviously play in a certain manner.

Having said that, it is the diversity in the pitches that makes it for even more interesting and challenging task - batting or bowling on them. And that is to be expected, and relished, in a tournament of this nature, which goes through six weeks of gruelling schedules, hot and humid conditions and changing natures of the tracks.

Tharoor releases statement on IPL imbroglio

The teams are interestingly poised, and the points table makes for some amazing viewing. While one would have expected that at the start or the middle of the tournament, a win or loss could change things around drastically in the table, for it to be so tightly coupled even at this late stage of the tournament is stunning. For us, it is simple; try and win every game, and not worry too much about the table.