IPL 8: VVS Laxman pleased with SRH's show

Mumbai: Sun Risers Hyderabad mentor VVS Laxman on Friday gave a thumbs up to the overall display of his side in the IPL, saying there was no lack of fighting spirit even in two of the three lost games.

"I am quite happy with the way team has played so far. We lost three games out of which two went to the wire. We fought till the end. We didn't give up except for the Chennai (Super King) game which was one-sided," said the former India Test stalwart ahead of tomorrow's game against Mumbai Indians here.

"The team has been playing really well in all department, we want to keep improving. It is great to see the way everybody has been working hard," added the 41-year-old.

While conceding openers Shikhar Dhawan and captain David Warner have played a stellar role in the team's progress thus far, Laxman insisted the other batsmen too had pulled their weight.

"Warner and Dhawan have done well. I also feel that Ravi Bopara has done well in the matches. In the game against Delhi (Daredevils), it was because of Karn Sharma and Ashish Reddy that we came close to winning.

"The performance have been really delivered by the opening batsmen and we have got quite a good batting depth, till No. 7. It is just about them converting the talent into performance. We are expecting a lot from these batsmen.

"Someone like KL Rahul did well in the game against RCB and also in the following game. They didn't covert into big scores so their performances is not highlighted. All of them are in good nick which is important for us. We are looking for contributions from not only a couple of players but five or six players when they go out to bat," he insisted.

Laxman also praised Dhawan for the way he played the supporting role when Warner was blasting his way at the other end.

"He was smart and that is what we want. You want your experienced player or any player to adapt to the situation. When Warner got off to a flier he played the supporting role. But there will be times in the coming matches when he will be off to a flier and Warner will play a supporting role.

"The communication is very important out in the middle. That's what we want each and every batsman to think and not just play one-dimensional cricket."

Asked about Ishant Sharma, who played just one game before he was dropped, Laxman said the lanky pacer has worked hard on cutting down on his no-ball problem but will now have to await his chance with replacement Praveen Kumar having done well.

"Ishant played the first game but unfortunately he bowled a lot of no-balls. He has really worked hard over the last one week on that aspect and has overcome the issue. But Praveen Kumar got an opportunity and did really well and Ishant unfortunately again misses out.

He also said that Australian Warner, whose temper is well known, is a matured player now and is leading the team very well.

"One of the reasons why we gave him the captaincy was because of the way he contributed as a leader last year even thought he was not the designated leader. He was contributing in each and every team meeting and as a senior player took lot of responsibilities last year."

"Since the first match I think he has been very good as a captain and as a leader, he has got immense respect within the team and over the last couple of years I believe as a person he has become more mature and he has been handling himself and some tough situations remarkably well. You saw even in the two games we lost which were close game he was very cool, didn?t get rattled or agitated and when he came into the dressing room he never showed any agitation at all, he was the same."

Laxman explained that dropping South Africa?s pace spearhead and one of the premier fast bowlers in the world, Dale Steyn was not an easy decision to take and complimented the bowler for taking the move in his stride.

"It was very tough to leave him out. We can play only four overseas players and we have to balance out our combination. We thought to give Trent Boult the first chance because he is a left-arm seamer and he was in great form throughout the World Cup.

"The way Dale accepted the decision and handled himself was great. He is a thorough professional and took it in the right spirit. And when he got the opportunity I think he bowled beautifully in the last two games and I am sure he will contribute more in the coming matches.

"That's a possibility. We will have to see how the wicket is. The wicket is a little bit damp at the moment and we have not taken any decision yet on the playing eleven, we will take the final call tomorrow,? Laxman said when asked whether there was a chance of both playing tomorrow on a track known to assist pace bowlers.

On the opposition, Laxman said Mumbai Indians have "not performed to their potential" but were a dangerous side with a number of match winners.

"It is important for us to focus on what we are looking from this match and what we have to do right for us to get the right results. We want to focus on our strengths and go with that."

He was also pleased with the victory over holders Kolkata Knight Riders.

"It was a very good victory because KKR is a team in form and they are a dangerous side. But what was really pleasing more than the victory was the execution of most of our plans. Whenever you execute the plans invariably the result goes your way.

"In Vizag it was pleasing to finish on a high after two disappointing losses. I am very pleased with the way the boys played and fought till the end. Victory always boosts the confidence the morale is high after a victory. We want to follow that up with some good performances. "

Laxman was in support of the Super Over even in the league phase of the tournament as he said that ensured a result in every game.

"I think it is exciting and it is something also for the crowd to take away. A result is very important at the end of a match and it hardly takes 12 or 14 minutes so it is not that time consuming and it is equal to both the teams, it is not favouring one team and not the other team.

"I favour it more than the bowl-out. In bowl out sometimes you can be unlucky but Super Over gives you six balls while batting or bowling to win the game," Laxman emphasised.