Felt like I had a bit of unfinished business in IPL: Mark Wood

Mark Wood has been in exceptional form lately, and in two matches for Lucknow Super Giants, the English pacer has already had eight wickets in his bag. That is just an extension of what he is doing in T20s lately - in all of his last seven T20s, Wood has three or more wickets every single time. 

Wood made his Indian Premier League debut for Chennai Super Kings in 2018, but after playing only one game, he was injured and ever since, didn’t turn up. But back again in 2023, things have swiftly moved in the English pacer’s favour.

"I felt like I had a bit of unfinished business, in terms of trying to come here and prove myself on a big stage," Wood said ahead of LSG's match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday.

"I've played for England in World Cup finals (50-over and T20 both) but I hadn't cracked in IPL. So this time, I'm trying my best to prove that I can be in the mix in IPL, with the best players. I will try to prove a point, that I'm up to this standard."

"I don't think I was really prepared for CSK at that time. I played one match and I got smashed. I had just come off the back of a Test match tour (in New Zealand) and I hadn't prepared well. That was my own fault, I went into that game a bit underprepared and didn't do myself justice."

During the mega auction in 2022, Lucknow Super Giants splurged 7.5 Cr to buy the services of Wood, but a recurring elbow injury kept him out of the squad. However, in the 2023 edition, Wood had been retained, which so far proved to be a masterstroke.

"I'm here this year, trying my best to contribute for Lucknow, trying to repay the faith that they've shown in me, sticking by me and picking me again. So far, I've absolutely loved it. KL Rahul has been brilliant with me. The management have been excellent, keeping my role clear, what they expect,” the Durham pacer added.