ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2022

October 15, 2022

Chirag Suri

Kardinia Park

UAE

Pre Match Media Conference

THE MODERATOR: We will now start with the press conference with Chirag Suri of the UAE.

Q. I think it's been seven years since UAE played a World Cup, eight years since they played a T20. A day away from it, what's the feeling at the moment? Nervous? Excited?

CHIRAG SURI: I think the guys are quite excited just to be out here in Australia. I think it's nothing short of a dream for the guys. 2015, obviously, a couple have missed out.

Being over here back in Australia, 2022 T20 World Cup I think they are super excited. A bit of nerves. It's a big tournament. Lots riding on it. You don't get these kind of opportunities all the time.

For us it's definitely a good platform, and we're looking forward to it.

Q. You personally, I think you are fresh on the scene a part of the qualifying squad of 2015, but didn't actually end up making it. Does it feel like it's been a long time coming for you guys?

CHIRAG SURI: Definitely, I think, yes. Seven years, of course, lots of changes. Things have happened back home. Now finally that we're getting the opportunity to be here, I think the guys have really worked hard over the last couple of years. It's not just that we're just over here. We've definitely worked hard and put in good performances, and yeah, we deserve to be here.

Q. I think, sorry to bring it up, but UAE's records in World Cups is one win from 11 matches so far. How can you insure that that's going to change this time around?

CHIRAG SURI: Look, I think what's gone behind is gone behind. It's a completely new team. There's not even one person who has played a World Cup for UAE before on this team, so I think it's a completely new team. So I think the results can be completely different as well.

Q. In terms of the prep, what have you made of playing in Geelong, and obviously you have the game that's clear as well. Is it particularly different?

CHIRAG SURI: I think predominantly all the wickets over here we know what we're expecting in Australia. Of course, there's a big of bounce in the tracks compared to back home. Obviously, there's been a bit of rain around, so we've got to be aware of all these kind of things and dimensions of the ground that are different.

Certain grounds are bigger than certain areas and certain pockets. I think keeping these kind of things in mind is quite important over here. It's not like the same circle of grounds that we get back home.

Obviously, these are the kind of things it's good that we came earlier. I think we're in sync with the conditions now.

Q. The kit change, Chirag. You have obviously grown up playing in gray. UAE, that's all they've ever done. What's it feel like?

CHIRAG SURI: I think it's a nice change really. I think I quite like the kit. We're colorful now for the first time.

I think, yeah, the guys have liked it. Got a good response from everyone. I think everyone has liked the new kit. I think a fresh kit, fresh team, looking for fresh performances.

Q. Chirag, just in terms of T20 cricket in the UAE, it's obviously an exciting time with the tournament kicking off in January. How important is it for this team to show what they can do and almost to help raise the profile of that tournament and almost use this as a shop window for that?

CHIRAG SURI: I think definitely we have T20 cricket all year round in the UAE. I think 12 months of cricket, no country in the world plays as much cricket as we do. Especially T20 cricket.

I think this is the format we are best suited for. That's why we've seen over the last couple of years the performances. Obviously, the league coming in, big bonus for the players. It's another huge platform for us to showcase our talent.

I think we are producing a lot of good young players now coming through. Yeah, definitely to have this sort of platform at that age to rub shoulders with the best in the world, you get to learn so much. I think the guys are going to really enjoy it, and they're waiting for that opportunity.

But yeah, definitely good performances here will put us in good stead going into January.

Q. Colin, who was here before you, mentioned that maybe in your group there's a little bit more pressure on Sri Lanka and Namibia because obviously they qualified last year. Do you feel the same way, or just how do you see this first round?

CHIRAG SURI: I think definitely all the teams that are over here, they're all good teams. Taking into consideration they've made it to the top 16, all the groups have good teams and good performers everywhere.

So I think it's about executing plans and whoever is better on the day and executing and hold their nerve, I think they'll take away the games.

We've got a good side over here. We're ranked 12th in the world currently, so we definitely feel that we are here to win. We just want to play that way.