Mumbai wicket-beater keeper Ichan Kishan made it clear that the team is “ready for all conditions” and must keep a positive intention and mindset in every game.
“Yeah, obviously that’s not my call anyway, I think management will decide what to do (if we choose to hit or bowl) but our intention is going to be very clear.
“Like the ball is there to be hit, we’re going to go for it because you know in T20 cricket you just need one or two good overs. We know they have a lot of spinners on their side. Because that we have played so many years of IPL, we know how the wicket is going to play, especially in Chennai, so we are ready for all conditions actually,” Kishan told reporters.
He also stressed the importance of a good start and said.
“I think that’s very important when you’re going for such a big total, you need a good start. You need your power play to be good.”
Kishan emphasized the need to have a positive mindset.
“It was important not to let the bowlers dominate and rather put the pressure on them. So that’s the positive mindset that we keep in every game.”
While CSK is currently ranked third in the points table, MI is in sixth position.
About facing Matheesha Pathirana, who has a similar action to the great Lasith Malinga, Kishan said, “I think there is so much technology now, there are so many videos coming up, we will definitely watch his video what he’s trying to do with the new ball. Also, we can’t just focus on one bowler.
“At the same time, we can’t give him so much respect, if he plays well, we have to give him respect. But we have to have a positive mindset, which is if he lack, we will go after you. This will be the state of mind.
“Yes, we played Malinga in the nets too when he was with MI, so that gives us a lot of confidence. He was a legendary bowler. We practiced well when he was bowling. We’ll just watch the ball and play our own game, no matter how he plays, we don’t want to think about his strength, we’re going to focus on our mindset and think about how we can score sets of his bowling,” Kishan added. .
Pathirana developed as a bowler in death overs with CSK looking to use him near the end of an inning.
Meanwhile, CSK bowling consultant Eric Simons praised the fly-half Devon Conway and said his ability to play at the wicket is good and he is able to manipulate the pitch.
“He’s an extremely versatile, hard-to-throw hitter with great knowledge of the game,” he said.
(With PTI inputs)
