All-rounder Corey Anderson admitted that Mumbai Indians' bowling was below par in their opening IPL game against Kolkata Knight Riders, but said that his team is confident of working on the problem areas ahead of Sunday’s game against Kings XI Punjab.
"We have to make sure that our plans are right and execute our plans. We are pretty confident. We put up a good batting performance in last game but dropped a bit down on the bowling. If we can focus on those little areas, I am sure we can get home," said Anderson at the pre-match media conference here at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.
"It is one of those things. We sorted out our plans. It was the first game of IPL. Next game is against Kings XI and we got to go better ways. It's a short tournament," he said.
Anderson, who played 12 games for the Mumbai outfit last season when the team recovered from a nightmarish start in the Dubai leg and made it to the play-offs, said the team thought it was a good total to defend against KKR.
MI scored a competitive 168 after being rescued from 37 for three by captain Rohit Sharma (98 not out) and Anderson (55 not out in 41 balls) as the duo put on 131 runs together. But KKR chased it down after losing the wicket of Robin Uthappa, who was snapped up by Anderson, cheaply.
"We thought more than 160 was a competitive total that we put on due to the partnership after we lost some wickets," Anderson said.
'Bowling with the new ball was enjoyable'
The Christchurch-born player said he enjoyed bowling with the new ball, something he does not do often for New Zealand.
"I don't normally bowl with new ball for New Zealand. In the last game, I bowled with the new ball and enjoyed bowling with it the other day as the ball was swinging. I bowl at the death for New Zealand. I don't mind bowling at start or middle, it depends on how the others bowl. Bowling with the new ball was enjoyable," he said.
"It was nice to get some runs and it was also nice to get a few overs in," Anderson, who picked up one for 21 in two overs, added.
Asked if he has cemented his place in the XI with his display last year and in the first game of the new season, Anderson said: "I would try whatever I can to put the team in the front and win games for Mumbai. That's the reason I am here."
On the pull-out of Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood from the MI squad, Anderson felt there were "plenty of other guys who can do the job as well".
Anderson termed Shane Bond's presence in the support staff as the team's bowling coach as a "huge help".
"He is a huge help. He's a part of the New Zealand bowling group for the last 18 months. He's been a huge part of our success. His experience and knowledge has not surprised us. He's one hell of a coach," said Anderson.
