02 April,2010 07:09 AM IST | | Sanjjeev K Samyal
Mumbai Indians' Sri Lankan speedster Malinga tells MID DAY why he is enjoying his stint with the City-based IPL club
THE roaring success of the third Indian Premier League (IPL) has yet again triggered off the country versus club debate.
It would be a tad over the top to suggest that anything can replace the pride and passion of playing for your country, but club loyalty is indeed getting stronger.
The success of Mumbai Indians and their Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga is a case in point.
Malinga is enjoying every moment of his time with his IPL team and apart from his performances and the monetary benefits, it's the support of the Mumbai crowd which has made this tournament a memorable one for him.
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The Brabourne Stadium is engulfed by a deafening din with chants of MAA-LIN-GA, MAA-LIN-GAA each time he marks his run-up.u00a0 The Sri Lankan toe-crusher sure is loving all the adulation.
"It feels great. I feel like I am playing in my home country," Malinga told MiD DAY.
"My parents and in-laws were here for a few games and were very surprised (the support he's getting in Mumbai)," added Malinga.
The fast bowler has won the hearts of the Mumbai fans with his brand of cricket unconventional but lethal. And Malinga's repaying their faith with interest. He's the third highest wicket-taker in the IPL.
Excerpts from a chat:
How's it to hear the crowd chanting your name every time you run in to bowl?
It feels great. I am very happy to be playing for MI; the crowd is always with us. Every time I come to bowl they expect me to do something. But I know for a fact that the crowd will support me only if I do well.
How will you compare the experience of playing for Sri Lanka at home to playing for MI at Brabourne Stadium?
Sri Lanka is my home country and we get good support when we play. Mumbai is a cricket crazy city and cricket is more popular here than in Sri Lanka. It's the same feeling here like I am playing for my country. It's my team, and I will give my best for Mumbai Indians.
There will be an auction next year. If you had a choice would you like to play for MI. If yes, why? Sachin Tendulkaru00a0shares a light moment with Dwyane Bravo
I really love playing for MI. I don't know what will happen but I am available. Tendulkar is captaining the side very well. He puts no pressure on anyone. It's a good group and everyone is like family. Everyone enjoys each other's success. And that is perhaps the reason we have been so successful so far. It is the best team in the IPL.
You made a big impact against Kings XI with four wickets...
It is my final year of the three-year contract with MI. I wanted to walk away with one Man of the Match award. I am glad I got it in the last match. We were targeting to restrict Kings XI to 150. And our plan to achieve that was to go for wickets.
Your yorkers are the talk of this IPL...
Every time my captain asks me to bowl, he expects me to take wickets and cut down the runs. The best option is to bowl yorkers. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. The important thing is to keep trying.
Where do you aim? There is so much technology and planning but still batsmen are struggling to get your toe-crushers away?
I target the batsman's feet. If I bowl a perfect yorker I will get the wicket. It doesn't really matter players are watching my videos. Similarly, if my yorkers are off-target, the batsman can get a four. Players like MS Dhoni and our team's R Sathish can get the yorkers away. They make room by getting the front leg out of the way and play the scoop shot. Different batsmen play differently and we have to adjust the direction accordingly. Sometimes you target the leg stump, at other times, it is the off-stump.
You seem to have mastered the art of bowling in Twenty20 format, but it is supposed to be a batsman's game...
I believe that if we have to win a match, we have to take wickets and that is what I try to do. The fast bowler also has three to four different balls. A fast bouncer for instance, a slow bouncer, a yorker, a slower ball. It's all about adjusting to the shorter format. You have to try different things to surprise the batsmen.
Tendulkar has a lot of confidence in you. He gives the ball to you in tough situations. At the end of the powerplay overs... at the death...
I always try to stick to the captain's gameplan.
My thinking is that anytime the captain throws the ball at me, I should be ready for the challenge.
Sachin has confidence in me and each time he tosses the ball to me, I will take the responsibility.
Have you got a chance to explore Mumbai and make friends here? What food and drink do you like in the city?
We can't go out because of security reasons. However, this view (pointing to Marine Drive from his hotel window) is nice.
My favourite local dish is butter chicken with naan and I love my orange juice.
How's it playing for a team where Sanath Jayasuriya is sitting out?
It's the team management's decision. He played three games and could not get runs. He's a great player but at the moment he's not got the runs.
Do you agree Mumbai are favourites for the title?
Yes, everyone is talking about our team and we will try to win the tournament.
My goal is to help the team win.
