Johannesburg, May 23: Darren Lehmann is the highest paid coach in the Indian Premier League and not without reason. From a player who turned out in a solitary game at last year’s edition to a successful coach of the Deccan Chargers, the journey has been an eventful one.

Apart from keeping the media in splits and being the ever-friendly tourist, Lehmann has also proved his value as a hard-nosed man-manager. Lehmann shared his thoughts on the impending final and the IPL in general in a chat with this newspaper. Excerpts:

On the final practice session: It was great to see the boys go at it in full throttle. Must remember they had a game last night. It was more of a recovery session. The team have prepared in right earnest for every game and the final was no different.

On the final: It is great to be there at first place. The team showed great commitment in each training session and the results are there to show. The one day break will do us a world of good. It will help us recuperate and be fresh for the most important clash of the tournament. We have played back-to-back matches twice in the last one week and the boys deserved this rest.

On knowing who to play hours before the final: Well if it is that way then we will have to accept it and get along with the game. A break would have been fine but I am sure the organisers would have done everything possible to do it. We will follow the semifinal closely on television to try and understand them better.

On beating Delhi and Gilchrist’s knock: What more do I need to say. It was a spectacular innings and I hope he has one more in store for the final. The win was indeed special. We lost to them twice in the league stage from winning positions. It was a great feeling.

On the overseas players’ restriction: Well it is something Lalit Modi, BCCI and the eight owners have to decide. It is never easy to leave out quality international cricketers. Probably five would be the right number but as I said earlier it is upto the above said to decide.

On the multiple captains theory: It has only been given a new name. The system of senior players chipping in with their views at vital stages of the game has been going on for a long time. A skipper turning to senior players for advice is nothing new. The team will only benefit from it. The leader will only be missing on vital points if he does not take their advice.