Faulkner unconcerned by form slump

James Faulkner’s believes his ups and downs throughout IPL 2015 are all part of the unpredictable nature of the tournament.

Rajasthan Royals managed to snap their five-match winless streak on Sunday night with Faulkner’s 2-22 making a big difference to his side’s fortunes.

Chasing Rajasthan’s 190 for a win, the Daredevils fell 14 runs short thanks to Faulkner’s solid performance with the ball in the middle of the Delhi innings.

Incidentally, Faulkner was himself coming off a string of poor showings in the competition, having also been dropped from the side from their previous game as well.

He had conceded more than nine an over in the eight matches he’d played before that game and picked up four wickets at 60, which meant his performance against Delhi was a also turning of a corner for him.

However, the Australia allrounder isn’t worried about his form but about whether or not his team is winning.

“Whether I am getting hit around the park or taking wickets, for me whatever form it is, whether it is T20 or ODI or Test matches, it is about winning,” he said to iplt20.com.

“That is why I play the game. It is the most satisfying feeling. No matter if you are there from the start or you join halfway through, you are always expected to put up your best front.

“You are an overseas player at the end of the day and are expected to bring something unique to the table.

“Once you play international cricket, there is always going to be expectations from you in any T20 league. Every overseas player is used to that.”

Faulkner also noted he was well-versed with how teams worked in the IPL and the fact that different situations demanded different players. He said the format required a horses-for-courses tactic on occasions and players had an understanding of that situation.

“I missed out on the last game since we decided to give (South African) Rusty Theron a bit of bowling because of his death-bowling skills,” he said.

“And (against Delhi) I came back into the side. That is how the format works and we all know that.

“There is always a lot of class sitting on the bench. There are a lot of players in our team who haven’t got an opportunity so far in this IPL and other IPLs as well.

“It is a hard and tough competition and you fight for spots. People like it because it is a challenging tournament.”

Faulkner was effusive in his praise for Rajasthan opener Ajinkya Rahane, the team’s leading run-scorer in IPL 2015.

Rahane’s unbeaten 91 from 54 helped the Royals rack up a mammoth 2-189. As a result of that innings, he also breezed past David Warner’s total runs in the season so far to take the top spot in the highest run-getters’ chart and with it, temporarily for now, the prized Orange Cap.

“I think he is a class player. Rajasthan Royals are very lucky to have him. He has done very well for us at the top in this IPL,” Faulkner said of Rahane.

“Not just in the IPL, he has also shown his class in international cricket. He has a bright future and all the Indian fans have a lot of hopes for his future and potential in international cricket.

“There is no surprise that he is getting runs in the IPL again and everyone loves him.”