The clinical bowling performance against Delhi Daredevils notwithstanding,Deccan Chargers all-rounder Ryan Harris feels his side8217;s bowlers have to be more consistent if they want to defend their IPL title.
8220;I think,bowling is the area where we can still improve. We have to put up better performance in the last few overs of the innings which is always crucial in a Twenty20 game,8221; said Harris.
The Australian,however,was happy with the performance of the batting department of his team.
8220;We have batted well in the last two matches. Our team have a strong batting line-up and I am confident that it will perform in the coming matches as well,8221; he said at the sidelines of a promotional programme here today.
8220;And our fielding has improved a lot in the last few matches. This is a crucial front and we have worked hard to make it better,8221; the 30-year-old said.
Deccan yesterday notched up a thrilling 11-run victory over Daredevils here to qualify for the semifinals,but Harris is not ready to speak about any team strategy.
8220;We have not started thinking about the semifinal match yet. Let8217;s first arrive in Mumbai and then will start the planning,8221; said Harris,when asked what would be their strategy in the knock-out stage of the cash-rich tournament.
But the Queenslander was very confident about defending the title,which they won in South Africa last year.
8220;We have now won five matches in a row and our team have captured the rhythm. We have the momentum and I am very confident that we will bag the title again. It will be an excellent feeling to win the honour twice,8221; he said.
Harris also praised Deccan captain Adam Gilchrist and said,8221;He is a good sharp captain. it is nice to play under him.8221;
Speaking about the IPL III experience,Harris said,8221;I am enjoying the atmosphere,the big crowds at the venues and also the competition in the League.8221;
The lanky cricketer also feels that the players taking part in the IPL will have some advantage over others in the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies.
8220;It will give some advantages to all the cricketers
playing in the tournament because putting yourself in match situation is always different from doing net sessions,8221; Harris said.