In New Delhi, Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Heinrich Klaasen praised captain Ishan Kishan, calling him a superb leader and highlighting the team's impressive response to the young wicketkeeper-batter, along with his calmness in decision-making and willingness to rely on experienced players.
Kishan was appointed interim captain of SRH due to Pat Cummins' unavailability for the initial period due to recovery from a lumbar stress issue. Under Kishan, SRH has won one match while losing two, placing them fifth in the points table.
"Look, I think he's been superb so far. He's a guy who seeks advice. As I said, we have a lot of experience in the team. So he relies on that as well. But his decision-making, the way he changes the bowlers, and the way the team listens to him has been phenomenal so far.
"So, like I said, we're in good hands, and he's luckily not arrogant, which makes things easier. He's a really enjoyable captain to play under. So, there are a lot of jokes to keep things light.
"I think he's been superb, and he also had success in the domestic scene. I think his team won a competition. So, there's a lot of experience in that aspect. But so far, I really enjoy his captaincy, and he's been incredible," said Klaasen.
Despite SRH losing two games this season, Klaasen said his own form – 145 runs in three games, including two half-centuries – has given him personal satisfaction, particularly given his limited game time after retiring from international cricket and playing only franchise T20 leagues.
"Unfortunately, we've lost two games. But on a personal note, it's been a good start, especially because one of my biggest concerns is not playing as much cricket as I used to. Also, it's to see if I can still keep up with the standard I set for myself. So, pretty good start for me, and hopefully, this form will continue," he said.
After playing against Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh, the 2016 IPL champions SRH will play three consecutive games at home against Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, and Delhi Capitals.
The clash against CSK, the five-time champions who are yet to get off to a good start in the points table, will be of huge interest, and Klaasen acknowledged the fixture carries added significance.
"Look, it's always fun playing against them, and knowing that our owners are also from Chennai, they do emphasize that we need to win over them or beat them. So, there will always be added pressure on that game, but it's still a good game.
"All the teams that you have to play in the IPL, you have to be at your best and put your best performance in the game. So, hopefully, we can get that momentum going into the next game and then face Chennai back home.
"The wicket hopefully will be a little better, and then if we can get one over them going into their home ground, I think we should be in a good position to take them down this season," he elaborated.
Klaasen also talked about the tactical challenge of facing spinners from opposition teams who have clearly studied his game closely. "The boundaries are not the biggest in the world. We're used to some big boundaries as well. But the wickets are fantastic. So, it's a nice place to come back in.
"But it's still a big challenge. I know they're coming for me, and they know I'm coming for them. I see this season they've got a couple of game plans. So, I need to get back on to doing some good homework against them and finding new ways of scoring against them," he said.
On the toughest spinner he’s faced in his IPL career, Klaasen named senior leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal without any hesitation. "It's an easy answer – Yuzi Chahal. We've come a long way. We've had some great battles over the last couple of years, especially in my career.
"He's a quality bowler, a very clever bowler. I think we're about 50-50 on winning those battles. He's a good mate of mine as well, so it makes it even better just to fight against him on the pitch," he said.
The hard-hitting batter signed off by calling the IPL the pinnacle competition in franchise T20 cricket. "It's by far the toughest franchise cricket competition that there is. I feel sometimes it's tougher than international cricket. It also depends on who you play. But the standard of cricket and obviously the conditions play a big part of it.
"Every year you just see a new Indian player coming out that you never know about, and you just keep on producing the goods. So, the talent that they've got, it just sets the standard so high.
"So, by far the best competition in the world. There are maybe a couple of tournaments that are striving to get to this standard. But it's tough to play in this competition. You have to be at your best to perform on this level."
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