Chennai: With Australian stars, batsman Michael Hussey and seamer Ben Hilfenhaus bringing the Chennai Super Kings squad to its full strength, bowling coach Andy Bichel believes that the team, presently languishing in mid-table, is up for the challenge to win the Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament for a third time.
Speaking to the media here Thursday ahead of Friday's game against Deccan Chargers, Bichel admitted the players as a group have not come up to expectations, but the focus remains on winning the competition.
"Ours is a good enough team to win this tournament. The challenge for us is to going into the final and it is the hardest part. Michael Hussey and Ben Hilfenhaus coming into the squad could probably change a few things.
"Mike has been a big contributor during last year edition. Ben had a long season and still looking for it. There is always scope for improvement. We have shown improvement and they might be through to the final.
"I am not sure that Ben will find a place in the playing eleven. It is interesting we have got the full squad for the first time in this tournament. Everyone is pushing hard for a berth in the playing eleven," said Bichel, but admitted that bowling has come up short though individually, there has been some improvement.
"I do not think they (the bowlers) stand as a group. For me, I look at individuals. I see them as really improved during the last few months. That is a good thing as I see it.
"The teams are playing differently than in the past. We have been hunted and that is a challenge for us," said Bichel.
Regarding the pitch at Chepauk, Bichel felt that it has behaved differently in each of the matches played here and that has also influenced the results.
"We have played couple of trial matches before start of the tournament and the tournament as well. Some days it turned and it bounced and it has been different on some days.
"There has been dew some nights and the balls stood on the bat. On some days, it made something different for the team batting second. It has been hard for the batsmen.
"We need to change the composition accordingly with the overseas players. It has been bit of small little challenges, but we cannot make excuses for it," the coach said. (IANS)
