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IPL T20 - The Times of India

Exclusive: Interview with Sanath Jayasuriya


After his blistering century against Chennai in the IPL, Sanath Jayasuriya had said, "I am very happy with the hundred. But that's gone now. Tomorrow is a new game and I look forward to some different things. I would like to repeat what I did yesterday." He was referring to the Kolkata game. Sanath was as good as his word for he stayed unbeaten with 48 to crush Kolkata.

Hardened professional that he is, the Mumbai Indians’ star kept regretting that his team's batsmen had not got partnerships going and that he himself got out after making 20-30 runs. He also said that the key to success was one of the top four batsmen batting 15 overs. He hasn't got out in two innings now.

About the high expectations of him Sanath said, "Whether you are playing for your country or your club, you are always under pressure to perform. The expectations are very high. But I think the team management has really been supportive of the players. Even when we lost four games in succession at the beginning, they were always behind us. That is why we were able to come back to strongly. The boys are really enjoying what they are doing."

Is T20 only about big hitting? "You can get carried away due to big hitting because the match is just 20 overs.

Because here you can hardly have time to get set. So what you are always looking for is a big shot. But I think the best thing for a batsman to do is to play his natural game. It's not just about big hitting, it's all about playing your natural game."

A lot of people are asking whether secrets are being leaked out by players about their country teammates playing for IPL sides. Jayasuriya thought that was not a problem. "These days everyone knows every player's strengths and weaknesses. With so much of cricket being played and all the teams having the technological assistance, all the teams are carefully examining video footage of other players. So the teammates in international cricket playing against each other doesn't make much of a difference."

Jayasuriya said there was need to keep the sanctity of the 50-over and Test cricket and then create some space for T20.

Would the IPL show extend his playing career? "Not really. It's just that I am very happy with my knocks."
How was the dressing room atmosphere? "The whole dressing room was very happy. We were talking about only this - if someone scores 80 or a hundred, we will win. And that's what happened. Against Chennai it was me, in the future it could be someone else. It wasn't as if I was in a bad nick. I was getting to the 20s or 30s quickly and then getting out. I didn't realise that I was in good nick till I reached the 50. There was more bounce and carry through the wicket. So when I got a start, it came nicely on to the bat. So I thought I should not throw it away and better keep on batting. Otherwise, it wouldn't help the team."

But he had a warning for his young fans. "Some of the shots we play, they should not follow. They should play the normal cricketing shots at the start of their cricketing career."

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