World Cup best build-up for IPL: Fleming

The IPL closely following the World Cup has meant that the franchises' squads have not had much time to prepare as a unit, but Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming said that it also means the players can hit the ground running.

"With most of our players being in action during the World Cup, lack of match practice will not be an issue," he said. "Playing the best teams in the world and on our home grounds is the best build-up any player could hope for. We are quietly confident of our prospects. Our core team remains the same, so we look forward to another successful run [Chennai are the defending champions]."

Captain MS Dhoni also said he is pleased with the team composition, but a lot will depend on players' fitness, with key players like Doug Bollinger and Dwayne Bravo currently on the injured list. "The new team is very good. But I have always maintained it's not about how good the team looks on paper, but how we're doing on the field. If everyone is fit and all 24 players are available for selection, it's a very good side."

Chennai retained Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Albie Morkel and M Vijay from the first three seasons' squad and bought back Michael Hussey, Bollinger, R Ashwin and S Badrinath, among others, during January's auction. New players in the squad include Faf du Plessis, Bravo, Suraj Randiv, Ben Hilfenhaus, Scott Styris and Tim Southee, while the biggest loss remains Muttiah Muralitharan who will play for Kochi this season.

"We have Vijay to start off, and Badri, me, Raina, Albie, Du Plessis … Scott Styris is an allrounder. Michael Hussey [who is in Bangladesh with the Australia team] will also be joining us shortly," Dhoni said. "So I think we have quite a few players who can get runs when it matters. Murali is a great cricketer, a very good influence in the dressing room, with plenty of ideas. We'll definitely miss him. We'll also miss Balaji [who was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders in the auction]."

Vettori excited about leading RCB in IPL IV

Freshly-appointed Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Daniel Vettori on Wednesday said the idea of leading the side in the IPL excited him, his recent decision to resign the captaincy of New Zealand notwithstanding.

“Captaining RCB is quite different from captaining New Zealand,” he said. “In the New Zealand team, the players are grown up whereas here there are a lot of young players, with chances of different dynamics. It is an exciting opportunity for a short time. We have a good unit with us and we are looking forward to a strong campaign.”

The 32-year-old takes over from Anil Kumble, who is now Chief Mentor with the franchise. “Anil's presence is really important for me,” Vettori said. “He has led this team extremely well in the past. His knowledge of the conditions, the team, players and his overall expertise of the game is exceptional. So, from a personal point of view and team's point of view Anil's presence will be immensely beneficial.”

Besides Vettori, the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad contains three other players who turned out for Delhi Darevils in previous seasons.

This, he felt, would be beneficial. “(Tillekaratne) Dilshan, AB (de Villiers) and (Dirk) Nannes have been around with me for three years, and so it will be a bit comfortable for us as a group to come and be part of the new environment.”

Sangakkara hopes to do well for Deccan Chargers

Deccan Chargers skipper Kumar Sangakkara on Wednesday said he feels privileged to lead the city-based team in the upcoming fourth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and is looking forward to playing well here.

"The expectations (to perform well for Deccan Chargers team) are pretty high. Coming in and starting to play cricket again after the World Cup is also a great feeling and hopefully as a franchise and as a team we can to do really well this year.

"You have to get on with the job and start playing and winning games," Sangakkara told reporters after his arrival at the airport here.

The wicketkeeper-batsman, who had yesterday announced his decision to step down as the ODI and T20 captain of the Sri Lankan team, had represented and led the Kings XI Punjab franchise in the previous edition of the IPL.

When asked about his new assignment, Sangakkara said, "That's the way...a lot of people have changed teams this year and I think I am very privileged to be here with Deccan Chargers, which is a great franchise. Deccan Chargers are a great team and have a great coach ( Darren Lehmann), I am looking forward to playing here."

Sangakkara, who had led the Sri Lankan team to the final of the recently-concluded Cricket World Cup, said it was a disappointment losing the summit clash to India.

"It (World Cup) was a great tournament for us. Though, we are disappointed to have lost the final, India played a lot better than us and won the match."

Hectic schedule will drain players: Dhoni

Dhoni criticised the hectic cricket schedule, saying the crammed calender this year will drain the players both physically and mentally. Dhoni told " it does affect the performance of players. The physical aspect you can battle but because of the amount of cricket you find yourself mentally and emotionally drained".

Less than a week after the conclusion of WC that lasted over 40 days, IPL 2011 kicks-off on Friday & wiill last for 50 days. After IPL, India is slated to play against West Indies,England & Australia later in the year. CSK is the defending champion of the tournament.