Gautam Gambhir is a fighter

Everybody knows the expression: ‘Form is temporary, class is permanent’ – but so many people still forget it when a quality player goes through a bad patch. Gautam Gambhir had a horrible start to this year’s tournament but just look at the way he has bounced back.

I’m not a big newspaper reader and I don’t listen to commentary — I’m not sensitive, I’ve just always been that way. I fully understand that the media have a job to do and I respect them for that. But even I could not avoid seeing and hearing the questions being asked about Gauty a couple of weeks ago. Crazy.

The KKR captain is a fighter who loves to lead from the front. Nobody was more disappointed than him when he failed in the first three or four games, but he never doubted himself when others were, and he was always going to fight back and make telling contributions. He enjoys imposing himself on the opposition and getting in their faces. He’s a good man to stand behind in a conflict!

Robin (Uthappa) has also found his best form as we head into the business end of the tournament. He’s a joy to watch at his best and one of the genuine match-winners in the tournament. When he is on-song he is a bowler’s nightmare — it’s impossible to stop him. If Gauty and Robin maintain their form for a little while longer it will certainly help our push for the play-offs.

I’m enjoying the flexibility around my personal role in the side, with bat and ball. I’m prepared to bowl anywhere in the innings and happy to bat at three or four if I’m not opening. I don’t feel I need a ‘fixed’ role in T20 cricket. Besides, it makes it a little harder for other teams to prepare if we are unpredictable.

The Mumbai Indians will be desperate for victory on Wednesday. We’re at the stage of the tournament where the calculators come out and permutations are worked on. But you just have to glance at the league table to see that Mumbai are probably going to have to win every game from here on to have a chance of reaching the play-offs. That makes them very dangerous.

The travelling, as always, is the most challenging aspect of the tournament but the KKR management make it as painless as possible. It just takes SO long to pack everything up and get from A to B. I should have got used to it after seven years, but it’s still a challenge! - (Gameplan /Hawkeye)