After helping his team, Kings XI Punjab, defeat in-form Delhi Daredevils in their previous game with a brilliant half-century and a three-wicket haul, Marcus Stoinis once again came very close to clinching another win for his side against Royal Challengers Bangalore yesterday.
Though the team fell one run short despite his best efforts, Stoinis feels matches like this has helped him grow as a cricketer.
“I think from being put in these sort of situations, you’re forced to adapt or you get kicked out pretty quickly,” said Stoinis, who scored an unbeaten 34 in Punjab’s solitary run loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore, at the PCA Stadium in Mohali.
“I’m enjoying every opportunity because you’ve got to adapt to succeed at this game at a high level. So my game has changed a little bit. Also just being tested mentally every game, every situation is a good test. I think the key is consistent development and just improving all time and it feels like it’s getting there,” he added.
Stoinis also praised his skipper Murali Vijay for backing him.
“Personally, it’s a great opportunity for me to be here. And I’m relishing every opportunity I’m getting,” the 26-year-old said. “I’ve got full backing from the skipper. He’s thrown me the ball a lot, he’s put me in prime positions with the bat. So really, you want to deliver for them and do the right thing.
And one can say that with his 146 runs in five matches at a healthy average of 36.5, including a match-winning fifty, he has done justice to his skipper’s faith.
“We’ve worked so hard as a team these last five weeks as every other team has but we’ve been through some stuff. This was an opportunity that’s been missed, I think,” he said.
Talking about playing in IPL, Stoinis, who played for Delhi Daredevils, last year, said that he is learning a lot from the senior players.
“I was here last year with Delhi, I’ve played a few Australia A games as well. But this is the first time I’ve been here for an extended period,” he said.
“The pressure might be a bit different compared to the Big Bash (League), but the game’s very similar. I think the key is to talk to the experienced players around you. We’ve got Virender Sehwag, and Vijay as captain and some great experienced bowlers as well. The key for me is just to talk to those guys, try and use those tips in your training and then put it into the game,” Stoinis explained.