"Sachin helped me right throughout my innings" : Sanath Jayasuriya

16th May 2008

After losing their first three matches of the DLF Indian Premier League (IPL), the Mumbai Indians seem to be back on track having won consecutive games after the initial hiccups. Yesterday, they were put to the test by Dhoni and his Super Kings. But a brilliant innings by opener Sanath Jayasuriya took the gloss away from Sachin Tendulkar's return and they've now won four on the trot.

The Sri Lankan veteran said that he had a good start to the IPL but was not able to convert his 20s and 30s. However, his blistering knock of 114 against the Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday more than made up for the string of small scores. His Mumbai teammates were happy with his performance, which was the second fastest century of the IPL so far.

Jayasuriya mentioned that he did not realize he was playing so well till Tendulkar, playing at the non-striker's end told him that he had reached his fifty. He accepted that he was dormant so far in the tournament and was due for a big innings soon. "I was batting well and realized that I can get a good one in one of these games. I've been playing positively for a long time," the experienced cricketer said.

He was all praise for his captain Sachin Tendulkar with whom he opened the batting.

"To me, it's much easier batting with Sachin as you know there is a player who can bat for a long time. (I feel) relaxed knowing that he can play a long innings at the other end."

He added that the Master Blaster did help him with his batting, "Sachin was happy about my batting. He wanted me to watch the ball and play my natural game. He helped me right throughout my innings. It was easier as he knows my strengths. I got the strike and he just wanted me to bat."

Mumbai Indians will now face the Sourav Ganguly-led Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on May 16. Mumbai had already beaten Kolkata at the latter's home ground, the Eden Gardens earlier and this will make for an exciting contest

Jayasuriya was cautious about Kolkata saying, "The Kolkata Knight Riders are a very good side. They defended 130 (against Delhi) with some good bowling by Shoaib (Akhtar) and some very good fielding. They have been winning so they also have confidence at the moment."