IPL 2019: Can't hide from the fact that there was tension in the KKR's camp, says Simon Katich

Kolkata Knight Riders’ season came to an end on Sunday with a heavy loss to Mumbai Indians. Despite so much riding at stake, the Knight Riders surrendered meekly to lose the must-win clash by nine wickets. The result of the game saw Mumbai Indians rising to the top of the points table while Knight Riders bowed out of the competition. Sunrisers Hyderabad pipped the Kolkata Knight Riders to take the fourth spot in the points table and barge into the playoffs.

The loss ended an inconsistent and trouble-filled season for the Knight Riders. With four wins from the first five games, the Knight Riders were looking primed to make it to the playoffs. However, six consecutive losses derailed their campaign and although they had their destiny in their own hands on Sunday, which they blew it away.  Following the game, Simon Katich, Knight Riders’ assistant coach, admitted that there was tension in the team.

With players and coaching staff coming up with contradictory statements throughout the season, there were indications that all was not well inside the dressing room. And Katich confirmed that all was not well inside the Knight Riders’ camp as the players failed to remain on the same page during the six-match losing streak.

“Can’t hide from the fact that there was tension,” Simon Katich said. “That was pretty evident from the last few games after we got on a bit of a roll with losses. We’ve got to address that as a group. What is so important in the IPL is dynamic in the group, and I guess the unity. That’s something that KKR is very very proud of. It’s a very successful franchise and it’s something that everyone involved has worked very very hard to contribute over a long period of time. That’s something we have to certainly work to get better at it because there’s no doubt that throughout this campaign, the dynamic within our group has certainly changed.”

Katich rues poor performances

Simon Katich further lamented the poor performance against Mumbai Indians. Asked to bat first, Knight Riders managed just 133/7 before Mumbai Indians chased down the total by losing just one wicket. It was the sixth straight loss for the Knight Riders at the Wankhede.

“Today is obviously disappointing but it’s a tough ask coming to Mumbai, we don’t obviously have a great record here. Yes, it would have been great to win today and get through but to finish where we did is probably what we deserved given how our season went,” said Katich.

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