IPL an opportunity to develop my game
Joining Royal Challengers Bangalore, albeit in the latter half of the tournament, has been overwhelming for Chris Jordan, who was called in as Mitchell Starc's replacement. Jordan, who missed out on the first game on the Royal Challengers's return home after two weeks of playing away, hasn't even had a full training session with the team yet, given the optional sessions and two subsequent ones being washed out by rain. However, he had no qualms in admitting that the temperament in the camp was still upbeat.
"The boys in the camp are quite positive at the moment," said Jordan on Friday (May 6), ahead of their Indian Premier League clash against Rising Pune Supergiants. "We have everything that's gone before this behind us and we are really looking forward to the challenges ahead which we are trying to embrace. If we do come out winning, obviously it will be a great turnaround. Guys will be going into play-offs in great form, and who knows (what will happen) after going into backend of the tournament," he added optimistically.
Jordan is the fifth England player to participate in the ninth edition of the Indian Premier League after Kevin Pietersen, Sam Billings, Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler. While Pietersen has returned home following a calf injury, the others seem to be flourishing with their respective franchises. With the England and Wales Cricket Board apprehensive of sending their players to participate in the IPL, Jordan sees his call-up as an opportunity to maximise his learning.
"This year is a good opportunity for playing in high-pressure situations with high-pressure games more often than not. There is a little bit of shift obviously, and the bigger heads in the ECB are okay. I can't see anything other than that's beneficial to English cricket.
"If I was in England, I would have been playing for my home club which is Sussex which I love playing for. But having had discussions with the top guys at the ECB, there is an opportunity to develop my game, develop my skills in a short space of time, so they encouraged me to go," said Jordan.
"The boys in the camp are quite positive at the moment," said Jordan on Friday (May 6), ahead of their Indian Premier League clash against Rising Pune Supergiants. "We have everything that's gone before this behind us and we are really looking forward to the challenges ahead which we are trying to embrace. If we do come out winning, obviously it will be a great turnaround. Guys will be going into play-offs in great form, and who knows (what will happen) after going into backend of the tournament," he added optimistically.
Jordan is the fifth England player to participate in the ninth edition of the Indian Premier League after Kevin Pietersen, Sam Billings, Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler. While Pietersen has returned home following a calf injury, the others seem to be flourishing with their respective franchises. With the England and Wales Cricket Board apprehensive of sending their players to participate in the IPL, Jordan sees his call-up as an opportunity to maximise his learning.
"This year is a good opportunity for playing in high-pressure situations with high-pressure games more often than not. There is a little bit of shift obviously, and the bigger heads in the ECB are okay. I can't see anything other than that's beneficial to English cricket.
"If I was in England, I would have been playing for my home club which is Sussex which I love playing for. But having had discussions with the top guys at the ECB, there is an opportunity to develop my game, develop my skills in a short space of time, so they encouraged me to go," said Jordan.
"As far as the bowling is concerned, it's not really for me to say (what's going wrong). The guys are working really hard at training and obviously have great skill level. The way things are going right now for the team, that's life. We just need to keep looking forward to the next game and game after that and hopefully, RCB gets back to winning ways."
However, coming into a side like Royal Challengers Bangalore, in which the bowling unit hasn't been very effective, there are expectations strapped with Jordan's inclusion, if and when he makes the playing XI. Dismissing the weight of which, Jordan said he plans to stick to his basics. "I don't really look at it in that sense," said Jordan. "What people think from the outside is not really my concern, more like how my teammates and the coaches see me. I'm just going to try and go out there and do what I normally do, which is give my best and hope I can give my 100 per cent.
