 New Delhi: It has so far been a learning curve for him and emerging West Indian all-rounder Kevon Cooper is enjoying every bit of the time he is spending with greats like Rahul Dravid, courtesy the Indian Premier League.
"It`s a pleasure to be in the same dressing room as Rahul Dravid and having nets with him. He has been sharing his knowledge and international experience," Cooper said of his skipper ahead of Rajasthan Royals` match against Delhi Daredevils on Sunday.
"I just hope to take everything," he added.
Before the start of the fifth edition of the cash-rich T20 league, Cooper was not expecting the returns he has got far in the tournament.
"10 wickets in five matches, I wasn`t expecting that... hope to continue to do well."
The Daredevils surely have emerged as the team to beat at the moment, but Cooper was hopeful of a positive result against the hosts at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.
"We had a great start. The guys had good rest and are now looking forward to this match and are very keen to do well. It`s a funny game and things can change. It`s a big game for us."
The 23-year-old said the team is eagerly awaiting all-rounder Shane Watson`s arrival from the West Indies, where Australia had just completed a 2-0 Test series win.
The Aussie is expected to join the team by tomorrow morning.
"He will be here soon. Shane is a very experienced player. We will be happy to have him with us. I have played against him in the Champions League (Twenty20). The team management will except him with both arms. I hope he continues his good form," he said. The tournament has already entered its business end and Cooper said the team needs to notch at least five wins to make the grade.
"The last three games of the competition... It`s going to be tough, but we are ready. (We) have played 8 games, would have loved it to be 5 (wins) out of 8 (matches). We need to win five games to qualify for the playoffs. We will have to stick to our plans."
The Royals are placed fifth on the points table with four wins from eight matches, while the Daredevils are at the top with six wins from eight games.
Cooper emphasised that the rest the team got after its last match could just work in the visitors` favour. "As I had said, the guys had good rest and could think about what went wrong."
As far as Shaun Tait`s chances are concerned, Cooper said, "Tait has been bowling well in the nets".
PTI
First Published: Saturday, April 28, 2012, 19:27
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