Kolkata have to battle opponents and heat

The two teams that have been unbeaten in the tournament so far, the Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, lock horns tomorrow afternoon. The teams will be battling the heat as well since we have a 4 p.m. start tomorrow. However, we are confident of doing well since the team has good momentum and we are really coming together as a unit.

We had a six-day break which was a little difficult from the point of view of a batsman, since it breaks one's rhythm. However, we used the time to train, work together as a team and to build resistance to the searing heat. The youngsters in the side are always eager to pick our brains, and as a senior member of the side I have made myself open to all queries from these enthusiastic youngsters.

Umer Gul and Chris Gayle joined us over the last couple of days, and they will now have to take on the role of senior pros ones guys like Brendon and I leave the group. They have only just come in from their respective countries, and have not yet practised with us as yet. Gayle has come with us to Chennai, while Umer is still in Kolkata, having only just arrived.

Preparation over the last few days has been as much about being well-hydrated and keeping oneself equipped to face the heat as it has been about keeping match-fit. We regaled onlookers at the poolside of the ITC Sonar when he played a well-contested game for volleyball in the pool. The support staff has been on their toes trying to find novel ways of keeping fit as well cool these past few days.

The Chennai Super Kings were lucky to get away with a win the other night, and their team has relied heavily on Michael Hussey and Matthew Hayden. I will be giving a few inputs to Ishant Sharma and company, but then you can't give too much away either. After all, I would not want to be kicking myself in September, when Ishant bowls to Hayden and Hussey, in that much-awaited India-Australia Test series. Fortunately, there are not too many secrets left in international cricket, what with all the technology at one's disposal.

While the T20 format is a batsman's game, it helps that we have a varied, in-form bowling attack. Ishant and Ashok Dinda have been really effective and they have been well-supported by Ajit Agarkar and the spinners. As a result, we have not had to rely too much on the likes of Laxmi Ratan Shukla. Now that Umer is also in the side, we have a happy problem of plenty in the side. Since Gayle is not fully fit, there is some talk about Brad Hodge also joining the side. Brad has been exceptional in limited over formats, so it will be interesting to see how he fits into the equation. (Gameplan)