Deccan have to improve bowling to defend title: Harris

New Delhi:

The clinical bowling performance against Delhi Daredevils notwithstanding, Deccan Chargers all-rounder Ryan Harris feels his side's bowlers have to be more consistent if they want to defend their IPL title.

"I think, bowling is the area where we can still improve. We have to put up better performance in the last few overs of the innings which is always crucial in a Twenty20 game," said Harris.

The Australian, however, was happy with the performance of the batting department of his team.

"We have batted well in the last two matches. Our team have a strong batting line-up and I am confident that it will perform in the coming matches as well," he said at the sidelines of a promotional programme in New Delhi on Monday.

"And our fielding has improved a lot in the last few matches. This is a crucial front and we have worked hard to make it better," the 30-year-old said.

Deccan on Sunday notched up a thrilling 11-run victory over Daredevils in New Delhi to qualify for the semifinals, but Harris is not ready to speak about any team strategy.

"We have not started thinking about the semifinal match yet. Let's first arrive in Mumbai and then will start the planning," said Harris, when asked what would be their strategy in the knock-out stage of the cash-rich tournament.

But the Queenslander was very confident about defending the title, which they won in South Africa last year.

"We have now won five matches in a row and our team have captured the rhythm. We have the momentum and I am very confident that we will bag the title again. It will be an excellent feeling to win the honour twice," he said.

Harris also praised Deccan captain Adam Gilchrist and said, "He is a good sharp captain. it is nice to play under him."

Speaking about the IPL III experience, Harris said, "I am enjoying the atmosphere, the big crowds at the venues and also the competition in the League."

The lanky cricketer also feels that the players taking part in the IPL will have some advantage over others in the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies.

"It will give some advantages to all the cricketers playing in the tournament because putting yourself in match situation is always different from doing net sessions," Harris said.