Date:12/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/12/stories/2008051255112000.htm

Sport - Cricket

Dravid sounds more realistic than optimistic

Special Correspondent

MOHALI: Rahul Dravid finds himself in an unenviable position. Bangalore Royal Challengers has already lost too many games in the Indian Premier League and the captain’s own form has been far from inspiring.

On the eve of the match against Kings XI Punjab, Dravid looked ahead to the remaining six matches in the league, sounding more realistic than optimistic.

“First of all, we have to start winning close matches. We have to get into position from where we can win,” said the captain.

“We have to win at least three matches before thinking of making the semifinals.

At least, we can play for pride and make things hard for some of the teams at the top of the points table,” said Dravid.

Kings X1’s Mahela Jayawardene informed that Kumar Sangakkara’s fitness would be assessed by the team physio on Monday.

About the team’s defeat to Chennai Super Kings on Saturday, Jayawardene said, “we had plan but we could not execute it.”

Hails Balaji

He hailed hat-trick man L. Balaji by saying, “it is not easy to come back from injury and perform well. He hit the right areas and used the variations well.

“He created opportunities to take wickets. It is obvious that he is good.”

Jayawardene praised Yuvraj Singh’s captaincy as “natural as his batting.”