Cometh the big match, cometh the big player. Andre Fletcher, who was warming the tournament up in the league stage, actually lit it on fire tonight. In a 45-ball 68, studded with four fours and four sixes, he strung together a 102-run stand with Nicholas Pooran as the duo helped MI Emirates chase the total down with 22 balls to spare. Here he is, talking to the league’s social media handle in a post-match chat. Excerpts .. 

On his batting approach

My role is to give the team a good start every time I get a chance to bat. Really happy to contribute. Even after the powerplay, I was switched on and I told Pooran that I would be there until the end. I didn’t want to leave it to another batter because the wicket was not easy for a batter who had just come in. happy to contribute, but this isn’t finished yet. 

What worked for the team today

We have a very good team. As we say, this is a family. We believe in each other. We enjoy each other’s success and that is really important. We just have to continue from strength to strength, take that momentum into the next game and do the basics right as much as possible. The result will take care of itself. 

The impact of having Rashid Khan in the side

You know when you have Rashid Khan in your team, you know what he brings to the table. We don’t want to get complacent. The captain said, just because Rashid was there, we shouldn’t leave it up to him. Everyone is putting their hand up. Today it was Pooran and I, and hopefully we can continue to contribute. Once we play as a team, as a unit, I don’t see any team beating us.  

On what is the secret for his success in the tournament

I have a big family. God gives me the strength to go out and play the game I love. I try to stay as fit as possible, hit the gym as often as possible, and it is paying off.