I always look forward to IPL: Eoin Morgan

Kolkata Knight Riders batsman Eoin Morgan has said he always looks forward to learning lessons from the Indian Premier League, which the left hander thinks is a crucial part of the global cricket season.

"IPL's a part of cricket I always look forward to. The crowd, passion here is an inspiration and urges all of us to strive for more," said Morgan who has been dropped from the England squad due to poor performances.

Morgan said he holds IPL in high regard and tends to perform better in other competitions as well after taking part here.

"I always look to learn a lesson from here and have fared better in competitions after this particular T20 event. Overall, it's a crucial part of the season as far as I'm concerned," he said on the sidelines of a practice session of KKR ahead of the fifth edition of the IPL.

Asked whether the T20 format like IPL entails any change of style for a batsman in comparison to the longer versions of the game, Morgan said: "No matter how the format is, things do remain simple to a considerable degree. Even the likes of Sachin (Tendulkar), Jacques Kallis don't need to change their style of play much taking into account a little bit of expansive the game allows batters to be."

Asked about the Eden Gardens pitch, which many batsmen have found tricky in recent years, he said the team had handled the track well last season and hopes to do so again this time.

"It has some similarities with the one at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Now we had certainly played skilfully during most matches here last time and would like to continue that with some sort of a plan. At the same time though, you got to admit that pitch will not always work on your favour."