Kumble pleased with SA connection

Anil Kumble believes the South African connection will be key to RCB's success in the ACLT20.
http://www.espnstar.com/cricket/cl-t20/news/detail/item495847/Kumble-pleased-with-SA-connection/

The Indian Premier League (IPL) outfit have three players from the host country on their roster - Dale Steyn, Jacques Kallis and Dillon du Preez - while their coach is Ray Jennings, a former Proteas boss

Bangalore are in Group B for the September 10-26 competition alongside fellow IPL outfit Mumbai Indians, local side Lions, South Australia and West Indian champions Guyana, who they face in their opening game in Pretoria on Sunday.

"Jacques and Dale are both world-class players, and they know the local conditions very well," Kumble, the RCB captain said. "They can share their knowledge of the conditions and that should be of great benefit to the team as a whole.
"We are very happy to be playing this tournament in South Africa.


"We did well in the IPL in South Africa last year and that should boost our confidence.


"We are hoping to go one step further and win the cup this time."

The leg-spinner also played down the notion that the three teams from the lucrative Indian league - themselves, Chennai and Mumbai - were under additional pressure to perform.

He continued: "The pressure is the same for all the teams. I don't think it's any different for the IPL teams. It's a Twenty20 competition and it's anybody's game.

"In a short tournament like this, it's important to start well.

"We're looking to start well and we are not going to put ourselves under any additional pressure of saying we're an Indian team so we have to do well.

"We just want to take one game at a time and ensure that we get the right result."

Kumble, whose side won a play-off against Deccan Chargers to secure their berth in South Africa, revealed that his side were coming together nicely ahead of the competition, which will also be played in Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth.

He added: "But we have gelled well as a unit, and we are looking forward to the tournament.

"We don't see a lot of each other, but we have always worked very well as a team."