Punjab have come into the second round of the Ranji Trophy 2015-16 on the back of a thumping win in their opening game of the season against Railways. Speaking to the media in Mumbai ahead of the match at the Wankhede Stadium, middle-order batsman, Mandeep Singh said, “A start like this is a huge boost for us. We did well in all departments. Batsmen did well, there were four centuries and all the bowlers chipped in. One fast bowler took six wickets (Barinder Singh Sran) and the other (Siddharth Kaul) took four. Then, in the second innings the spinner also did well. We are feeling confident ahead of this match.” Asked about the challenge of playing against Mumbai, who come into the game after conceding the first innings to Andhra Pradesh, Mandeep mentioned, “Honestly, you can’t judge anyone’s form from one match. If you have done well and come you definitely do take confidence from that. They (Mumbai) have conceded three points so they might not be that high on confidence. However, whoever we play and wherever we play we will focus on our strengths. “There are minor adjustments to be made but if we do our thing right we will do well.” “Mumbai are a big side, but we have to play to our strengths (that will help). Like in the last game, since pacers are our strengths we had told them that they have to bowl fast regardless of how the wicket is,” he explained while discussing the opposition. Speaking about playing under the leadership of Yuvraj Singh, the batsman said, “Everyone knows that when Yuvi pa and Bhajji pa (Harbhajan Singh) are around the team is very motivated. Both encourage everyone. Their presence in the team always helps regardless whether they are leading the side or not.” Speaking about his own form, Mandeep said, “I scored a century in the first match (of the season) so have got off to a good start. Sometimes you do get to a ton anyway but the main thing is to continue batting well. Sometimes luck is not on your side, at times you are not able to convert the fifties. My aim is to continue batting well. The focus is on the process more than the outcome.”

Mandeep had scored a double-century during a previous outing against Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium, reminded of the memory, he mentioned, “Yes, I do remember. The wicket here suits me. The ball comes on with a good bounce so you can cut and pull well. So it suits me as I play those shots. I have worked out my strategy and worked on my game so am confident of enjoying batting here.” The batsman has been working on his game and has been working on becoming more consistent in the longer format. He has also been speaking to team-mates from the Royal Challengers Bangalore team as looks to improve on it. “My focus is on playing in the Ranji Trophy. If I perform well here then obviously I will get a chance there as well (national team and with the World T20 coming up). As you said, I had done well in the IPL and then led India ‘A’ (to victory against SA in T20 practice match). If you are do well in Ranji Trophy the performance counts.” “There have been one or two years when the consistency hasn’t been as good in Ranji Trophy. In the multi-day format you should score consistently to get noticed. The aim is to score 3-4 hundreds this season, which is an outcome. I will focus on the process. Virat (Kohli) and all are mentally very strong. I have spoken to Virat and AB (de Villiers). I keep learning from them. They have also said that more than the technical part how you handle things mentally matters and how you approach the game.” “I spoke with AB about the specifics including some technical bits during the IPL. He said that your game plan is important. For example, here (at the Wankhede) the ball turns with the bounce, while in Mohali it swings so those are the kind of adjustments that you make. You have to give yourself time and play according to the format and not in just way,” Mandeep elaborated.

“You want to hit the shots but you have to exercise control in this format. I am a senior in this side so the responsibility also increases. I am looking to play more responsibly this season. The aim is to stay at the crease and play more balls,” he said while speaking about the season ahead and his role in the team.