Corey Anderson speaks about his struggles in T20 cricket
Corey Anderson is honest enough to admit that he has not yet delivered to his potential in the Twenty20 format so far. The New Zealand all-rounder who helped Mumbai Indians make the playoffs from a highly improbable position with his stroke filled 95* is pretty sure that he will improve on his performances.
"I think T20 is the one format where I have struggled the most out of all the formats. The more I start playing, the more I am starting to learn," he said.
The hard-hitting left-hand batsman is confident about his side’s chances against the Chennai Super Kings who are the most consistent team of the IPL since the first season.
"We were fearless in the way we played the last game and if we can continue that and the momentum that we have got, then we can have a real shot at winning this (match). If we keep that fearless nature about us, then I am sure we could be a force to reckon with," said Anderson.
On pulling off the difficult chase of 190 in 14.4 overs, he said: "A lot of people had written us off coming into that (Rajasthan Royals) game and to pull off what people thought was impossible is a pretty good feeling. It is almost a sense of relief that now we are in the play-offs and everyone starts on an even playing field again. The play-offs are different as everyone is on an even playing field.”
"Things don't always happen the way you want them to but luckily enough it did the other day. Once Rajasthan had put 189 on the board, all the boys in the changing room - myself included - thought that is a lot of runs to get. We still stayed optimistic," he revealed about the dressing room talk.
Further commenting on the MS Dhoni led side: "They have always been up there with every IPL. Their strength is in their batting line-up but their bowlers have stepped up as well. There is obviously a lot of luck involved but at the same time if we can put those techniques into place then hopefully we can get the right result," added the 23-year-old.
On being up against his international captain, Brendon McCullum: "From a New Zealander to a New Zealander, it is nice but I will be hoping the same thing. He has obviously had a good tournament as well. He is a dangerous player and if we can nullify him and minimise his damage in the game then it is going to be a massive part of the positive we have tomorrow," Anderson said.
Asked about playing in the Brabourne Stadium for the first time in this IPL: "I guess it is a foreign venue for me, as it would be for a few other guys as well. We have to train now and adapt to the conditions. Regardless of the boundary size, we still have to play well and adapt to the wicket and come up with a rough idea of what we can score in our innings early on. If Chennai bat first then we will know what we have to chase down," he gave an indication that MI may be bowling first if they win the toss in the Eliminator.
Anderson also had a word for the passionate Mumbai fans.
"The crowd has been 100 per cent behind us the whole time even when we have been near the bottom of the table. To have that confidence that they are going to back us whatever happens is a good feeling. It is nice to be in Mumbai and have a home base and hopefully the juggernaut that we have created for the last few weeks will keep rolling," he concluded.