Ten Doeschate eager to impress his home crowd

Dutch all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate on Thursday said he is looking forward to play in front of his "home crowd" when he will come here in a month's time as part of the Kolkata Knight Riders' team in the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League.

 

"It's pretty special to walk up there. When I came here I had a feeling that it's going to be my home ground for the next two months," said ten Doeschate.

 

"It is a very impressive stadium. I am really looking forward to go out there and give my best shot. Hopefully, I will enjoy my cricket here and give 100 per cent to the side," ten Doeschate, who was bought by the Knight Riders at the cost of $150000, said.

 

The 30-year-old, who was born in Port Elizabeth in South Africa, said he was pretty comfortable with the T20 format.

 

"I play as much T20 as most other players in the domestic level. I am pretty comfortable with the format and I've done pretty well also. It's not a new thing for me," ten Doeschate, who has hit a century and a half-century in the World Cup."

 

Ten Doeschate has hit a century and a half-century in the World Cup so far and is looking forward to score another century in front of the Kolkata crowd on Friday.

 

"A 100 will be really nice to get the crowd behind me. Every time I walk out I look for a big one. Everyone wants to play IPL. But the guys don't need motivation."

 

Having come back from an injury lay-off, he said it's nice to have got into this groove.

 

"Really struggled with the injury in June. I struggled in the warm-up stage in Sri Lanka. I am happy that I've got into the momentum at the right time," said ten Doeschate.

 

He, however, regretted that his team was yet to win a match and hoped that they win against Ireland tomorrow to end on a high note.

 

"I am not happy. I started really well. I was happy the way I started, especially since I was coming from a bit of slump in form. Then I did not really do well in the middle phase and I gave away my wickets twice.

 

"I am disappointed about that. Generally, I am feeling happy that I am batting well again. But I am not too happy with the way it unfolded. We hope to get a win tomorrow to end on a high."