Zaheer's mantra for IPL 5: Pick wickets at any stage of the game

Picking up wickets at any stage of the game and restricting the opposition from scoring at a brisk pace is ace pacer Zaheer Khan's aim in the fifth edition of the IPL.

"I like to keep things simple in any format of the game. As a bowler my look out will be to take wickets at any stage of the game. It helps restrict opponents from scoring at a brisk pace," he said after Royal Challengers Bangalore practice session at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Thursday. Though T20 is a batsmen's game, bowlers have a crucial role to play, Zaheer said, adding, "... No doubt that lot of credit goes to batsmen with the kind of format and wicket you play on. It becomes crucial for bowlers to perform and take it as a challenge."

Zaheer said going by Wednesday's game between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians at Chepuak, nobody had anticipated that the defending champions would lose the game so badly on their home turf.

"Doesn't matter what kind of wicket you play on. It all boils down to how both teams are playing on that particular day and at the end of the day it is a pressure game," he said.

Pressure also plays vital role in this format as teams gain and lose momentum in couple of overs, he said. "Wicket does play a part but not a huge part."

Talking about his fitness, Zaheer said he was hopeful of managing himself with vital inputs from the team physio.

"I am slowly building up .. It's been a good time off for me. I could work out bits and pieces here on whatever niggles I have. I am looking forward to the grinding at this year's IPL. I just started to bowl a week back, just bending it slowly," he said.

On fatigue factor, Zaheer said this being his fifth season of the IPL, he has more or less has got used to the tournament.

"I think every year it has improved personally for me in terms of managing my routine IPL after IPL. I am sure it won't be any difficult for me this IPL too," he said.