Albert TUTI Patriots bowler speaks about Dinesh Karthik's availability for semis

Albert TUTI Patriots bowler Aswin Crist addressed the media after their 33-run victory over Madurai Super Giants at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday.

Were you guys concentrating on the 137-run mark to qualify for the semifinals?

No, we didn’t have that in mind at all. Even in the previous matches, we wanted to play attacking cricket. We didn’t want to be defensive, just wanted to play aggressive cricket and we did that in this match as well.

You started your league game with a win and ended it with a win as well..

Preparation wise, we are doing well even before the tournament began. Right from the practice session, team session and bonding session we are having a good time. In between few matches went 50-50, we could have won them. That was like a setback, but our process, preparation and frame of mind was positive. It will remain the same for the next round as well.

Will Dinesh Karthik be joining the team for the next round(s)?

Yes, I guess.

How has your TN Premier League experience been so far?

I have been making a small correction to my bowling technique. That is why I am not able to execute few deliveries as per plan and I am not able to bowl slower ones. My technique is getting better.

Whenever I land on my front leg, my back leg goes across, but that shouldn’t happen. It should be straighter and that is what I am correcting. People from MRF pace foundation suggested that to me and even Madan Sir in our team told me to correct it.

Have you tried any different variations in your bowling?

I bowl the slower ones well, but I have reduced them now. With my stock balls, I try to vary the lines and lengths according to the batsmen, seeing the batsmen’s movement.

Talk about Kaushik Gandhi’s form.

I have seen him prior to this tournament as well. His preparation, mindset, attitude towards the game and his approach are all in different level. He got starts in all the matches. But he couldn’t capitalize. That’s what he kept telling me. So I knew from his attitude that he will definitely play a big innings and make the team win.

Were you guys confident of reaching the semifinals even after losing three matches in a row?

We would have to thank our team’s support staff for that. It didn’t hurt when we lost for the first time, but when we lost couple of matches continuously the team was down for a bit. But our support staff right from Monty (Desai) Sir, Madan Sir, Gokul Sir, physios and other staff didn’t give up any hope on us.

We had fun during the team bonding sessions even then and were confident of coming back in the tournament. Even after losing, we immediately had team sessions which were very useful. So everyone had a good frame of mind and we knew it was a matter of one game.