MUMBAI: Shaun Marsh's sabbatical to rebuild his game for a spot in the Australian squad starts with IPL 5. The Aussie big-hitter, who intends to give Team Punjab the thrust to go the distance, spoke to TOI on his personal form, struggle to mount a comeback into the national side and much more.
Excerpts...
Team Punjab looks a balanced side. Where do you see the team finishing this IPL?
We are looking very good for IPL 5. We are hoping to get one step better than last year and make the final. It's disappointing for Broadie (Stuart Broad) that he got injured. I've no idea whether he's available or not but, obviously, it would be nice to have him over here because he's a world-class bowler.
Your form must be a concern as Punjab will depend on your batting...
Yeah (sighs), I had a pretty disappointing summer for Australia. I am looking refreshed now having been away from the game for a while. I am looking forward to performing in the IPL, hopefully, play well and get some runs under my belt. In T20, whether you're in form or out-of-form, you go there and play with freedom. You don't have to worry a lot about your form. You walk in, play a few shots and you're in the zone...
New season, new plans - have you been briefed about your role this year?
I arrived on Monday but knowing Adam Gilchrist, who is captain and coach, he will get the boys up and going. We had a great team spirit last year, and there's no doubt that the team would be bonding with the same intensity under him. I want to contribute to my team, stick there and enjoy my cricket. I am also looking to help the young guys coming through with my experience as much as possible. I have done so in the previous IPLs and I don't think this edition will be any different. We can't wait to kick start our campaign this season. We are hoping to get off to a good start and get the momentum going early.
Do you think the Australian selectors might consider your case if you perform well in the IPL?
I am sure the (Aussie) selectors will take note of all the Aussie players playing in the IPL. It's a big tournament in world cricket now having moved into its fifth year. Obviously, if any of us perform well over here especially when it's off season in Australia, I am sure the selectors will take note of that.
Will the slump and pressure to perform affect your game?
Getting back to the Australian team is the farthest thing in my mind at the moment. I have a job to do here for the Punjab boys and that's where my thoughts are going to at the moment.
What do you feel is the strength of the team this year?
We have a good bowling line-up. Obviously, Praveen Kumar heads the list. He's a very clever bowler and when Ryan Harris comes he's going to be a big boost for us. We have the young Jimmy Faulkner, who performed very well in Australia this summer for the Melbourne Stars in Big Bash. I am looking forward to seeing him play. And then we have some fantastic young spinners like Piyush Chawla. Our bowling is stacked up and if we can bowl and bat well in the first game, we'll have a strong chance to go the distance this year.
Moreover, if there's a bit of grass on the wicket in Mohali and Dharamsala and we bowl to the conditions, it would be tough for the visiting teams any day. Our bowlers will, hopefully, put us in a good position to do well in the tournament.
Which is the team to beat in your view?
You can't really go past Chennai. They have been pretty consistent over the last three or four seasons. So, they're going to be the team to beat again, but I am backing Chennai to play well. We beat them last year and proved that we can be a tough team too. But unless we do that consistently they will have the upper hand.
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