Defending champions Triumph Knights Mumbai North East are confident of bouncing back and determined to retain the title and skipper Suryakumar Yadav belives that they will be successful once again. “We (the team) are showing good positive intent and I am confident that we will win the next couple of matches and finish on a high. All the players are brimming with confidence and that’s a great sign,” Yadav told media persons at a meet and greet session on Sunday afternoon.
Defending champions Triumph Knights Mumbai North East during the press conference of MumbaiT20 Cricket league
Meanwhile, Lalchand Rajput mentor of Triumph Knights, was optimistic and all praise of the MPL. “The MCA conducted MPL (Mumbai T20) has taken off very well last year and we (Triumph Knights) had a very rewarding season having emerged champions. Such tournaments like the premier leagues are very exciting and are always going to grow. The first season was fantastic and this year it’s going to become even more better,” Rajput informed media persons.
“This season is a bit tight as the MPL is sandwhiched between the IPL which just concluded and the forthcoming World Cup, which will soon start, but I am sure this league will grow bigger,” the wicket-keeper batsman further stated.
Kshitij Thakur, the franchise owner of Triumph Heights lauded the initiatives of BCCI and MCA in encouraging the youngsters to play competitively. “If the sport starts to be very competitive it’s good for the state and national teams. The BCCI and MCA are doing a good job by conducting such leagues and if more such leagues are oraginsed it would not only provide an opportunity for youngsters would also help them to grow in the sport.”
“The Triumph Knights philosophy of the team is about bringing opportunities to the youth of our region to excel and be competitive. Playing and enjoying the game is more important that winning. And it is a great honour to lead such a cause,” Thakur pointed out.
Rajut backed India to win the World Cup, “I think India has got the best bowling attack plus we have got a very well balanced team. We have got very good all-rounders and if we look at any other team, India is best equipped for that. And in England, we had a very good season last time, though we didn’t win the Test series, but the conditions (there) and you look at the trend in England when they play in June and July, I think that is the best part to play the wicket better and if it is a good day our team is very difficult to be beaten.”
Meanwhile Yadav was pleased to be part of the Mumbai team which won the IPL. “It was a great final to be part of. Winning it by just one run was a great feeling. And that is the only thing we did last year (in Mumbai T20 League) — we believed — and the same thing we did in the IPL.”
He was happy with his innings against CSK. “I missed a few games when I batted at No 3. I got a start and I lost the track. But I badly wanted that knock which I played against the CSK in the qualifier 1. I was looking to play in the league games. But, instead of thinking what I lost, I thought let me focus on qualifying 1 and try and bat till the end because I felt that wicket was a little bit suitable for me. I think that was more important to raise my hand and take it ahead.”