29 April,2009 08:27 AM IST | | Iqbal Khan
After a dismal domestic season in South Africa, Jayasuriya feels he has got the measure of pitches
Mumbai Indians are back on track and are hoping to continue with the momentum in the Indian Premier League as they approach their game against the strong Kings XI Punjab at Kingsmead today.
Sanath Jayasuriya, who disappointed his local fans with a poor run with the bat for the Nashua Dolphins earlier this season, is determined to continue his good run.
"It certainly is pay back time, without a doubt," he said soon after returning to Durban after his phenomenal success at St George's Park, where he set up a record opening stand with Sachin Tendulkar.
"I've not made the big scores which I'm capable of at Kingsmead this season and tomorrow is a big one for me.
I'd like to continue from where I left off in Port Elizabeth I finally seem to have got the measure of the batting tracks here now. It's time to produce the runs," Jayasuriya said.
"There could be fireworks as both Sachin and I are firing well and we are looking to produce yet another match-winning opening stand."
Jayasuriya scored a brilliant 52 off 32 balls against the Kolkata Knights Riders in Port Elizabeth and with Tendulkar (65 off 45 balls) he stitched together a record 127-run first wicket partnership.
Jayasuriya did not have much of the strike early in his innings against the Knight Riders but said to Tendulkar: "Stay with me as long as you can and we will put on a big score. We did not panic I believe in this type of competition the first six overs are crucial and if you can keep the scoreboard ticking, you could make a big total.
"I was delighted to have executed the plans for the opening stand with Sachin but now we need to continue the same momentum," Jayasuriya added.
"We need to win to keep pace with the other teams. It's important as we would like to make the semi-final stages. We missed it by a mere point last year and we believe we must continue with our winning form."
