Symonds, Gibbs the biggest hitters: Afridi

Hyderabad: It may not have quite gone to script for Shahid Afridi in his first game for the Deccan Chargers, but there is plenty of cricket left in the tournament. Afridi is licking his lips in anticipation of murdering bowling attacks around the country. He shared his excitement in this free-wheeling interview with CNN-IBN's Digvijay Singh Deo.

Shahid Afridi: Twenty20 is my type of game, and the likes of Gilchrist, Gibbs, they all are very happy to play Twenty20 cricket. Obviously, we are here to entertain the crowds and we will try our level best to perform well.

Digvijay Singh Deo: Looking at Twenty20, you played for Pakistan and for teams in Pakistan, what's it like sharing the dressing room with Andrew Symonds, Chaminda Vaas, Adam Gilchrist — people you have locked horns with?

Shahid Afridi: It's good that they all are here. They all are very professional and our body language doesn't change whether we represent our countries or play for Hyderabad here. This is our team.

Digvijay Singh Deo: This is about your team. When you face players from the Pakistan team in the future matches, that's going to be a different experience, isn't it?

Shahid Afridi: Yes, obviously. Playing against Pakistanis will be a good challenge but despite all that, we will be representing our team.

Digvijay Singh Deo: It's not been a good start for Hyderabad despite it being a good team on paper. Is there a need of fine-tuning that combination?

Shahid Afridi: We need a good start from the batsmen and we need the fast bowlers to pick up a bit too.

Digvijay Singh Deo: You are a player who always goes out there and tries to hit every ball for six. Do you look forward to opening the innings?

Shahid Afridi: No. I have changed my favourite shot. I will go for a single now. But jokes apart, I will love to keep it going!

Digvijay Singh Deo: Looking at the IPL, you spoke of entertainment as the new concept, and with cheerleaders to further keep the crowds engaged. What do you think of that?

Shahid Afridi: It's a good concept. People can't sit in front of the TV for six and a half hours just like that. Twenty20 cricket will be the future and the organisers have done well. I think it will spread to places like the Americas, Canada, maybe China as well. So, it's a good format to get to a new country to promote the game.

Digvijay Singh Deo: But do you think Twenty20 will eat into the other forms of the game?

Shahid Afridi: No. I think One-day cricket is in its own league. Twenty20 is indeed successful because of the modern nature of the game. People are making money out of it, and they are really enjoying Twenty20 cricket.

Digvijay Singh Deo: It's a long tournament, your team will play 12 more matches. Your must be confident that they have quite some time to bounce back and start winning.

Shahid Afridi: Yes, this is what Laxman mentioned after the game. All the guys are very good and they are all raring to bounce back and we should be able to because we have a good side.

Digvijay Singh Deo: One of the things with Twenty20 is that with local players like Ravi Teja, Arjun Yadav, they would often come to you for tips. Don't you think it's good for the game?

Shahid Afridi: Yes it is. In our side, players like Gilchrist, Vaas, they come in with a huge amount of experience behind them. They are indeed helpful to the youngsters and share their experiences with the likes of RP Singh and everyone else. It's without doubt a terrific chance for them to learn the nuances of the game from some of the stalwarts of the game.

Digvijay Singh Deo: Who hits the ball harder? Adam Gilchrist, Shahid Afridi or Herschelle Gibbs?

Shahid Afridi: I think Symonds and Gibbs, the both of them.

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