IPL 10: It is hard to plan against Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle, remarks L Balaji

The Kolkata Knight Riders were on a winning spree until they faced a sudden hiccup against the Gujarat Lions recently. They have a tough road ahead as well as they take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in their next fixture. L Balaji, the KKR bowling coach is confident of getting back to winning ways against RCB in their home game. However, the former cricketer is wary of the challenges that lie ahead.

As per the recent quotes in Times of India, Balaji expressed that the RCB batting lineup is a very good one. It is not easy to plan things against them. The likes of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers is a daunting ask for any bowling lineup. L Balaji cited that the opening duo of Kohli and Gayle will be hard to plan for. He quoted that bowling to those players is like going into the battlefield.

“It’s hard to plan. It’s like Army men going into the battlefield. You may have a lot of planning but on the day you just try to disorient a little bit. But the important thing is what comes to us and what we can control,” the KKR bowling coach remarked.

He further noted that the shortest format of the game is such that nothing can be done about it beforehand. Anything could perspire on the day and the gameplay of the opposition in not easy to control. All that the team can do as of now is to work on their limitations. Having been doing that in the recent past has helped them stay among the top teams.

“In T20, it’s all about what you do on that day. The batting decides the outcome in most of the games. We have been playing good cricket. It’s about keep doing the things that has given you good results instead of being intimidated by the opposition. We just need to do look after our limitations. We cannot control the opposition. We can control many things that we are doing good, that’s why we are in top three,” noted L Balaji.

The role of the bowlers is of prime importance. KKR bowling coach conceded the same when he cited that it is often the bowlers who wins the matches. Runs are easy to come by in this format but wickets are always a tough deal to ask for.

“It’s about wickets, and not by runs. Your game destination is decided on how many wickets you take. Wickets form an important aspect and we have done exceedingly well in that department. But at the same time we will look to improve in the areas that needed to be addressed,” the former Indian cricketer quoted.

Lastly, Balaji emphasized on the fact that the team needs to get their basics right. As long as they keep doing it, things will align themselves perfectly for them. Also, the advantage of playing in the home conditions will help them a great deal in the match. Eden Gardens has been a fortress for the Knight Riders in the recent times.

“When you keep doing that, the outcome takes care on its own. The wickets decide the outcome most of the times rather than containing runs. Definitely, they are very good cricketers and ambassadors of the game. There will definitely be a lot of cheers. That’s good for us. We have got our own support. We have been doing well here. It will be an exciting match,” concluded L Balaji.