Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer Ishant Sharma feels pitch behaviour will not matter much during the first leg of the Indian Premier League in the UAE.
“It does not matter whether you play in India or UAE, the wicket remains the same in Asia,” Sharma said in Hyderabad yesterday.
“You should know where you need to bowl in the T20 format. You don’t need to see how the wicket is going to behave. You just need to execute your plans well."
Sharma, who was dropped from India’s World Twenty20 squad, is confident of making a comeback with a good display in the IPL.
“Obviously, I am looking forward to do well in the new season. I am bowling well. I am in good rhythm. I played in domestic T20 games, bowled well, took some wickets. I am confident with my bowling.”
The Sunrisers coach Tom Moody and mentor Kris Srikkanth believe they can fare better than last year, which was their debut season, when they finished fourth.
“Obviously, we had a good campaign last year, given that it was our first IPL as Sunrisers Hyderabad. This year we feel confident again. We feel we have got a very good balance in our side that allows us to adapt,” Moody said.
Srikkanth said: “The team is well-prepared. The most important thing is we were able to manage somehow to get almost the core team (for this season too).”
Asked if the controversies that hit IPL last year would impact this year’s tournament, the former Indian opener replied in the negative.
“Not at all. It is a fresh tournament. All of us start with a fresh mind. In all fairness, cricket is a team sport and a great sport. The game is bigger than any individual. We all respect it. All of us go and play in right spirit. That’s what cricket has taught all of us.”
Former India batsman VVS Laxman, who is part of the Sunrisers management team said the batting and bowling departments have been strengthened with new players like Aaron Finch, David Warner and Irfan Pathan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar joining the side.
“Overall, we have got a good, balanced side,” he said.
The Sunrisers will launch their campaign against the formidable Rajasthan Royals at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on April 18.