Mumbai Indians' Corey Anderson grateful to mentor Anil Kumble

Corey Anderson

New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson, who plays for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2014, expressed his gratitude to the team’s mentor, Anil Kumble, for his wonderful insights on how to face a spin bowler.

Regarding Kumble’s contribution, Anderson said, “He has been of great help. Facing quality spinners in the competition is of massive help. I am playing some of the best spinners in the world. I also face quality spinners in the nets and this will definitely help me to play spin bowling better in the matches to come.”

Although Mumbai Indians have not had the best of starts in the tournament, Anderson has complete faith in his team. “It is a slow start for the team, we had a bit of a break and we expected things to change a little bit but we did not score enough runs tonight. We didn’t have a good big innings, but it is no excuse. We got to work harder and we got to come out fighting harder again. We just have to come out and win a couple of games and I am sure we will get going from there,” he said.

Following his failure in the first couple of matches down the order, he was promoted to number 3 in the match against Chennai Super Kings; just when it looked like he had found his touch, he was run out for a 31-ball 39.

“I am trying to find out my rhythm and time in the middle which always helps. Tonight unfortunately I got out when I was just beginning to get going. On another day it might have come off and hopefully it will soon,” Anderson said.

“I spent a lot more time in the nets and a lot more time with the coaches and was trying to get a grasp on playing in these conditions. It takes time for anyone to sort of get used to the conditions, ” he added.

The left-arm pacer revealed that, apart from Kumble, Zaheer Khan has been helping him, too, in the bowling side of his game.

“I have spoken to Zak a few times and he is a master in what he does. He is so good to have in the team and him specially being a left-armer obviously helps,” Anderson said.

On being asked about his bowling form, he went on to say, “At the moment my bowling is not coming out quite like I would want to but I guess it is just the beginning. This is T20 cricket and you have bad days and you have good days. I will keep working on it and I will just chip in where I have to.”

This Kiwi batting star is famous for his fastest ODI hundred that came against West Indies off just 36 balls. When asked if he could repeat the performance for MI this time, Anderson said, “I am not too sure about that one. I have told a lot of people that you don’t expect to do certain things, things just happen. I am not expecting to do that here or do it faster. It will be awesome if I could. If I can pull myself to win matches for Mumbai Indians then I am doing my job.”