Tuskers ready for first bite

In a team that is short on established match-winners,Muralitharan,along with former Sri Lanka team mate Mahela Jayawardene will not only be expected to mentor the side but will also have to bear the responsibility of performing in the crunch. And while Jayawardene is set to join the team only on Saturday morning after the inaugural IPL game in Chennai,Muralitharan reached here on Thursday.

As the Kochi team makes it debut against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Saturday in a day-and-night game,Muralitharan will start his journey as a purely T20 player. He is also said to have committed to play the shortest format of the game for Wellington but it will be in this coastal town that he will feel at home.

“A year ago,I never imagined I would play my first game after international retirement in Kochi. This place is a lot like Sri Lanka,with the sea and the weather. It is a nice,quiet place to start life post-retirement. I hope that,like in Sri Lanka,people here too show passion for the game and come to support us. It would be nice to have a full house tomorrow. I know I will be spending a lot more time in this city and I am already enjoying the atmosphere,” Muralitharan told The Indian Express on the sidelines of training on Friday.

Playing multiple roles

As a senior member of the side,Murali is also looking forward to building the team. “I enjoyed playing for Chennai,but such is the nature of IPL that one has to play in different teams. I am excited about working with the young players in the Kochi side and also with the coach and ensuring that this side gets better and better with every outing,” he said.

Murali picked up 15 wickets in 12 games last season but,10 days short of turning 39,it remains to be seen if he is still a force. In the World Cup final against India,he went wicketless in eight overs and conceded 39 runs. The Sri Lankan,though,has put the setback behind him.

“I wish the result was different but we have to move on. I am looking foward to playing another two years of T20 cricket before calling it a day. The key for me is that I am still enjoying the game. The day I stop enjoying the game or I feel I can’t perform up to my or the team’s expectations I will stop playing. But as of now I want to play for another two years. I have had a great career in both Tests and ODIs. I am now looking forward to putting in match-winning performances for Kochi.”

The highest wicket-taker in the world believes that,on the slower pitches in India,spinners will continue to play a big role. “Definitely,you will see more spinners opening the attack and bowling in the powerplays. Captains have realised that spinners can do the job for them in T20 too. So I certainly have a role to play.”

So,will he be tempted to play Twenty20 Internationals for his country? “I don’t think so. I’ll play the IPL for now,” he said,flashing the trademark smile. As he begins his first season in 19 years during which he won’t wear Sri Lankan colours,Murali is bubbly as ever.