This is going to be an important season for Team Kolkata...
We have a talented side, and one of the main strengths of Kolkata is that we have quite a few match winners, we don't really depend on one or two players. So, there's no pressure on me. All my life I have tried to enjoy my game, and this time too I am doing just that.
With Sourav Ganguly at the helm of Team Pune, do you think they can give Kolkata a tough fight?
I couldn't watch the full match, but I heard it was really exciting. But let me tell you, this time all the teams are well-balanced, and it should be a tough competition. All the teams have some good players, and IPL being a long tournament, anything can happen.
You share a good rapport with Rajasthan skipper Rahul Dravid. How does it feel to play against him?
Playing with Rahul is always an interesting thing and I have always considered him a legend. Now that he has retired, he is lot more relieved and can fully focus on the IPL. Over the years, I have always enjoyed playing against him. For me, IPL is a time to catch up with the old friends, with whom you don't get a chance to interact regularly.
As you said, the tournament is tougher this time. Which team, according to you, has the edge?
It's difficult to predict really. As I have said, all the teams are well prepared and they have some really good players. It's too early to predict who would bag the trophy.
Any message from your team owner Shah Rukh Khan?
Yes, obviously. Shah Rukh being the team's principal owner, he would obviously want us to make it big in this edition of IPL. We will try our best to win the IPL this time, and make him happy.
The world is talking about Tendulkar's retirement. Your take?
I think Sachin knows when to stop. Look at his performance! He is still hungry to score runs, and he is still scoring regularly. I think we should leave it to him. Let him decide when to call it quits.
Any plans to call it a day?
No, I have no such plans. I think I still have three to four years of cricket left in me. As of now, I have no such intentions.
Your physio recently said he will closely monitor your fitness level during the IPL. How important is this tournament for you?
Yes, this IPL is important for me as far as fitness is concerned. All my life, I have walked on to the field as a fully fit cricketer, and I want to maintain it throughout. Thank God, I have recovered from injury and am absolutely fit.
My aim is to stay fit during the IPL and then focus on other commitments.
Your next target?
My primary target is to help Team Kolkata win the IPL. But when it comes to international commitments, I want to win the World Cup for South Africa. In my cricketing career, I have achieved all success, but the only thing that has eluded me is the World Cup.
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