We wish to bounce back on home turf: Gayle

Bangalore, Apr 30 (PTI) After winning just two of the
five matches played in the UAE, Royal Challengers Bangalore
batsman Chris Gayle is hoping for a turnaround of his team's
fortunes in the Indian leg of IPL-7.
     Out of nine remaining matches, RCB will play five matches
at Chinnaswamy stadium and are hoping to fare better on home
turf.
     "Hopefully we wish to bounce back as quickly as possible.
We are back home now and know the conditions well here. Still
a long way to go," he told reporters at an event conducted by
WHAM Infocom here.
     However, Gayle said the team is disappointed with losing
last three games on the trot after having a great start by
winning first two matches.
     "We had a good start by winning first two games and
thereafter lost three. We were disappointed, but that is
cricket," he said.
     Asked whether there is any missing link for their dismal
show in the last three games, Gayle said "I don't think there
is any missing link ... Everybody is capable of winning."
     On the question of the team being under any pressure,
Gayle said there is always pressure in any of the matches they
play.
     On his fitness, Gayle said he is working with his physio
and hopes to be fully fit in next two days. "There is slight
discomfort. In next two days I will be fully fit. I am working
with the physio - make a comeback and take it from there for
RCB," he said.
     The destructive batsman also spoke about Sachin
Tendulkar's retirement, saying that it was his choice, but he
is still the best and greatest ever in the history of the
game.
     "It is his choice ... he is still the best and
remembered. One of the greatest ever in the game ... Still
good enough whether he is here or there," he said.
     On the association with WHAM Infocom, Gayle said he was
excited to be with the company and added it stands for high
quality products with latest technology.
     "Within a short span of time they have reached out to one
million users in India and I am proud to be associated with a
successful brand as WHAM," he said.
     WHAM Director L Subhash Chandra said, "We are thrilled to
unleash the famous 'Gayle Storm' on our WHAM! customers. We
couldn't find a better connect to our brand than Chris.
     "WHAM! is an all-rounder just like our brand ambassador
Chris Gayle, providing the ever evolving Indian customers with
the latest innovation, the finest features and the most
stylish products at an affordable price," he added.
     WHAM! Mobiles is one of the fastest growing Indian
handset manufacturers, Chandra said. 

World T20 final defeat still rankles Yuvraj

B D Narayankar reports

Bangalore, April 17 (PTI) Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh on Thursday said it was difficult to cope with the World Twenty20 final defeat against Sri Lanka but he was learning to take disappointments in his stride.

India had reached the summit clash of the tournament unbeaten but had failed to cap their brilliant campaign with a win.

“A match like the finals always left feelings of ‘so near yet so far’, but as sportsmen they need to overcome these emotions quickly and face next challenge,” he said in an interview published on the Royal Challenger Bangalore’s official website.

“As a team we played a fantastic tournament and displayed emphatic cricket all around. But in the finals thing didn’t go the way we planned and it’s not easy to overcome that disappointment,” he said.

Yuvraj said in his younger days, one of his coaches told him that sportsperson one should be able to handle both the success and the defeats alike.

“That’s what I want to do,” he said.

Yuvraj said he is thrilled to be a part of RCB and hoped it would a memorable season for the side. He said the most of the team-mates got a short but very refreshing break after the World T20 and they are ready for the next 50 days.

He added that the last few days have given the team ample time to be with each other and figure out combinations.

“We had some very useful practice sessions and that has given use fair idea about our strategies and game plans.”

The Punjab southpaw said the side boasts of a very good mix of experience and youth and positivity around the team is infectious and uplifting.

“This comes across as a group that is willing to back each other in good and bad times. It is an absolute privilege to share the dressing room with the likes of Chris Gayle, Muttiah Muralitharan, AB de Villiers, Daniel Vettori and Alan Donald,” Yuvraj said.

“It is equally pleasing to know that I would be bowling to Gayle in the nets only,” he added.

Yuvraj said the facilities and arrangements are top class and they expect full house in most of the games because this part of the world has loads of Indian and South Asians.

“I can imagine they won’t miss the chance to see this spectacle live. So I expect a full house in most of the games,” he said.

IPL-7: We are going to start 'Gangnam' together with Yuvi: Gayle

B D Narayankar reports

     Bangalore, Apr 14 (PTI) West Indian batsman Chris Gayle
today said that he was looking forward to play along with the
likes of Yuvraj Singh in Royal Challengers Bangalore team in
the IPL which begins in the UAE on Wednesday.
     "Yeah, looking forward to be with some international
stars. Well Yuvi is an Indian star, but you know like always
it is pleasure to share the dressing room with such big
names," Gayle said on the Royal Challengers Bangalore's
official website.
     Gayle said Yuvraj and he can provide fans entertainment
and try to guide the team into the final this season.



     "Yuvi and we are going to start Gangnam style together. I
am sure he is looking forward for that act. We will go out to
have fun and (its) going to be a source of intensity on the
field and give fans what they want - to entertain," he said.
     He said the team was looking forward to grab the trophy
this time around which they failed in the last two seasons.
     "This is a season we are looking forward to. We want to
actually grab it. We have been around in the last two seasons.
We didn't actually make it to the final," he said.
     "We are eager to make best use of good starts. We are a
good all-round squad led by Virat Kohli who is in a great
form. We needed the trophy and I want to go and get it. RCB
here we come," he said.
     "Even I am eager to play with Mitchel Starc," he added.