The VIVO IPL is into its 11th season and you have been part of the MI family for a long, long time. We know how the players get ready for the season. How do the coaches get ready?

I think we have been scouting from October last year. Once the season is over, we actually start our preparations (for the next season). Of course, there were many of us involved in the scouting process before the auction. And this being a pretty big auction, we had to do a lot of searching. And, as a franchise, we always look to build a very strong squad. We looked at various new talents, trying to figure who fits into what role, and anticipating what the other teams would do. We looked at various new talents and see what roles they would fit into. So, yes, the preparations started in October, and it’s still going on.

* This year, the Mumbai Indians have 13 uncapped players — the most among all franchises this season. The franchise has a legacy of picking newcomers and launching them on the big stage. As a coach, how do you manage the newcomers?

We look at a few things. First of all, we look at potential. Then, we look at the ability to win matches. We also look at longevity, age and appetite for the game. We want guys who are not stale. We want guys who are anxious to play. We want players who always look to make a difference. We pick players on what we see in domestic cricket as well international cricket. Having said that, one of the main aims is to ensure that once the player leaves after playing for MI, he goes on to play for the country. As a coach, I get very happy when players from MI go on to play for India. When an MI player goes on to become part of the Indian squad, it indirectly helps, futuristically. Also, it boosts the confidence of everybody in the squad. That’s part of the team building process. Basically, we try and ensure the newcomers fit into the set-up and perform the roles that we want them to perform.

Let’s talk about MI’s batting unit. We have always had power hitters. This year, we have a few new faces. What do you have to say about them?

We have a few new faces. But if you look at the guys in our squad, potentially, most of the guys who have come in are as good as the guys who have gone out. Futuristically, the new guys who have come in are better. You can’t always replace experience but, I think, that the youth play a big part in this format. Also, it’s about people who are fearless and want to make a mark and express themselves in these kind of situations. So, I am very happy and very excited to work with many of these young guys. And, I think, most of them will be very happy to be part of a franchise like this.

Twenty20 is largely about see the ball, hit the ball and win the game. But we have seen how you have worked with someone like Hardik Pandya on his technique. You are someone who emphasizes on hitting the ball along the ground. How important is it to preserve your wicket in this format?

There are a lot of occasions when you have to play that role. It may not be for long periods of time, but it’s important that you do it. Sometimes, you have to take the pressure off yourself by hitting the ball into the gaps, run the ones and twos, and keep the ball on the ground instead of going for the big shots. That said, it is important that we encourage the players to play their natural game. But the thing with attacking cricket is that you are bound to fail often. It’s important to also understand that when you play that sort of cricket, you also win a lot of matches. So, we have to create that balance.

We have Evin Lewis in our squad this year. He’s a very interesting player. And we know of your connection with Trinidad & Tobago. What’s your take on him?

I think he is a very exciting player. And I hope he performs the way Chris Gayle has performed in the Vivo IPL. I think he is one of the few players in world cricket who can actually take the game away from you. In the past, we have had players like Dwayne Smith and Lendl Simmons who performed that role for us. I think this guy can do it both ways. Also, he is very young. He is a very explosive and expressive character. He is a very likeable guy. Actually, he is quite fun-loving if you get to know him. So, he is a typical West Indian. The type of cricket that he would play, well, you won’t get to see many players playing that way. I am pretty excited to see how he would team up with Rohit.

A few days ago, Suryakumar Yadav played a brilliant match-winning knock (90 not out off 42 balls) in the final of the T20 Mumbai League. Also, Saurabh Tiwary has been scoring some big runs in the corporate tournaments. Rohit Sharma, too, has been in fine form, scoring big runs for India in the tri-series in Sri Lanka. As the team’s batting coach, is it good to have this headache over whom to select?

I don’t think it’s a headache. It’s nice to be in that situation. It’s really a question of playing the right guys in the right situations. I think Saurabh played a few good knocks for us, even though he didn’t get too many chances. Also, he has done really well for MI in the past. That’s where he made a mark. Surya did exceptionally well for us before he moved over to Kolkata. He has grown as a player. He has understood his game really well. I love the way he plays spin. He is one of the better players of spin bowling in this part of the world. Plus, he knows the wicket here (at the Wankhede Stadium) better than anybody else. It’s his home ground. I think he can probably give a few tips to the young guys on how to play here. So, I am excited to actually have in back in the squad.