Ricky will sign off with a fine knock: Buchanan

KOLKATA: The lack of runs from Sourav Ganguly and Ricky Ponting���s blade are not worrying John Buchanan. The Kolkata Knight Riders coach feels the two senior pros are just one innings away from hitting form. The former Australia coach also believes that Ponting would be eager to make his IPL experience memorable by signing off with a cracking knock.
"I feel for Ricky as he was simply unlucky against Team Chennai,������ the coach said while announcing the squad of XIII for their fourth match."In the two net sessions prior to that game, he was in very good touch. He will definitely make up for the failure in the past three matches with a fine knock on Tuesday. That will also help his confidence for the West Indies tour.������
Buchanan was also sympathetic about his captain. "Sourav is in reasonably good touch. It���s just that he needs to convert his starts in to a big score. At this level, one good knock can make a world of difference.������
Will Ganguly come down the order against Mumbai Indians? "We haven���t yet decided that. Our top five batsmen can bat at any position.������
Umar Gul has been included at Iqbal Abdulla���s expense in the squad for Tuesday.
"We will decide on the XI once we get a fair idea about the pitch tomorrow afternoon. I haven���t seen it myself but have been told that there is a fair amount of grass. Gul and Ishant might make a good combination, but we will have to weigh our options carefully before taking a call.������
Buchanan refused to agree that the middle-order hasn���t done well so far.
"Saha (Wriddhiman) and Laxmi (Shukla) have done pretty well. I am satisfied with their performance. We have had one bad match and one shouldn���t reach any conclusions,������ said the former Australian coach.
Buchanan was quick to retort when asked that whether Ponting and McCullum���s absence would be felt once they leave for national duty. "We always knew that they will have to leave for their national commitments. We have alternate plans. Salman Butt has come after a good series and will be in action soon. Chris Gayle is responding very well to treatment and we���ll hopefully see him in action soon.������
The seasoned coach was not ready to think that Mumbai Indians, who have lost all four games, will be pushovers.