Kolkata: After having had some solid practice before flying to Jaipur for their quarter-final clash against Gujarat, Bengal coach Sairaj Bahutule exuded confidence when he said that the defending champions were under pressure.
“We don’t have pressure. They have the pressure to hold the title. We just got to play the way we’ve been playing and make sure that we play to win,” said Sairaj while talking to the reporters after Bengal’s practice session on Sunday.
Further speaking about the mood in the dressing room ahead of a clash against a tough side, Bahutule said, “I think the guys have worked hard and they deserved a place in the quarter-finals. They are very happy and they look forward to it. Gujarat is a good side and the moment the competition is strong, we also raise our bar and play good cricket.”
The Bengal bowling attack has been in top form with Ashoke Dinda leading the pack. However, Bahutule said that after the group stages, all the bowlers now know what their roles are and so the pressure is not only on the 33-year-old speedster.
“Now after six games, the other bowlers also know how to work around Dinda. Sometimes they have to support, sometimes they have to be attacking. Every bowler understands their role and they are keen to go about it,” he said.
Bahutule also spoke about the fielding, saying that it has been excellent and further lauded his team’s performances in the group stage.
“The fielding has been excellent. The boys have been fielding well and the catching has been good. See, unless we have done things well we wouldn’t have qualified. We are playing good cricket. Look at the amount of hundreds being scored, the five-wicket hauls. We’ve almost got four-five guys who have got man of the match awards. So, the positives are there to be going in,” he added.
On the ones to watch out for in the quarter-final, he said, “I think all XI. The youngsters are there, the seniors are there. So there’s a balance.”