Murali says IPL more competitive this time

Amidst his hectic schedule in the IPL, ace off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan took time off to come to Chennai after the game between Chennai Super Kings and his team Royal Challengers Bangalore in Bangalore got washed out on Wednesday.

Talking to the reporters at a function, Muralitharan referred to the IPL and said that the league this time around had become much more competitive with many teams fighting it out for the top four places.

"It is more of an open IPL this time around as all teams except Deccan Chargers are evenly balanced than in the previous four editions" he quipped.

Under scrutiny

With teams desperate to win, he felt the role of the bowlers come under scrutiny more now after a team's defeat. "They need to be mentally strong and smart enough to outwit the batsman," he said.

The Sri Lankan legend has no issues with switch hits as one needs to admire the ability of a batsman.

This time, he said that there were different pitches and everybody has to adapt as totals are not the same everywhere.

Touching on the controversial issue of chucking, he said he did not wish to say anything on the Pune Warriors' player Marlon Samuels issue.

"The matter should rest rightly with the umpires, match referees and the ICC. They are the right people to take the call," he added.

He fully backed Pune Warriors' captain Saurav Ganguly and felt that every captain needs to back his player in any given situation.

With RCB failing to nail the final in last year's IPL and the Champions league, the former CSK player is desperate to turn the tide this time around. With the competitive streak still in him, it would not be a surprise if he manages to do so. THE HINDU