A loss against RCB had dented the team’s morale, but motivational speeches by Mrs. Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani had helped lift the mood.

Our director of cricket operations Zaheer Khan also voiced his thoughts.

“It obviously hurts right - the faces are explaining the story. I think whatever the result is, we need to protect this environment. It’s a long season - we have to go, get up and do it again. We have to go and give our best out there,” stated Zak.

“We can keep doubting ourselves like this, keep thinking about what happened or we can enjoy this ride. Win or lose, we are in it together.”

An important message he had for the team was that everyone needed to express themselves.

“We have all had ups and downs in our careers, so all we want is to just go out there and express ourselves freely. That’s the way I would like to see this team, the way I want to remember this season. How we carry ourselves is important and that has to be fun. It’s about going out there and enjoying a game of cricket,” said Zak.

He also felt it was essential to rally around the individuals who are having a good day on the field.

“We have to back our instinct. What Surya did was phenomenal. It was a great innings under pressure and that was the spark I am talking about. We need to help that individual who is going to have that good day,” he noted.

“Let’s just back that individual and then one will become two, two could become three. The enjoyment is in our control, so let’s control our body language and like our skipper says, let’s smile. We just have to keep reminding ourselves of those things. Let’s keep pushing - I’d say chin up, get up and do it again,” said Zak.

Some crucial points were made by the experienced Zak and it will be exciting to see how the responds against the Punjab Kings on April 13th.