IPL 2019: KKR's Carlos Brathwaite sees a 'natural leader' in himself

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have faced issues to deal with following their mid-tournament slump in which they lost five matches in a row and are in the danger of losing the race to the playoffs. While there have been talks over not sending Andre Russell high up in the batting order despite hitting the ball with monstrous power, another speculation is about sacking captain Dinesh Karthik who has failed both in the roles of leadership and batsmanship.

After KKR coach Jacques Kallis rubbished such rumours about Karthik’s probable ouster, member of the squad Carlos Brathwaite has said that the team doesn’t have a leadership group and every member chips in when required. Brathwaite, who also leads the Windies in T20 cricket, has got to play just one game for the former champions and it was not a memorable outing for him. The 30-year-old all-rounder scored six and went wicketless in the match against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Eden Gardens on April 12.

KKR don’t have leadership group per se, says Brathwaite

“I guess we don’t have a leadership group per se. If you’re a leader by nature, it will show in whatever you say, whatever you do, how you say things and how you do it. So my mannerisms will be the same, regardless of which team I play for,” Business Standard cited reports as quoting Brathwaite on the eve of KKR’s must-win encounter against Rajasthan Royals (RR).

The KKR are now placed sixth in the points table with eight points from 10 matches while the Royals are at the bottom of the table with three wins and seven losses.

When Brathwaite was asked whether he was part of the leadership group in the team by virtue of the fact that he is the Windies T20I captain, he said: “I’ve been speaking in team meetings, been speaking to the coach, to the captain, to the manager and I think the leader is natural. It’s something that happens. I see myself as one. I don’t know how the world sees it, but where I can share my knowledge. I try to lend my expertise wherever I can.”

The KKR side also came under curious eyes after some of its senior players, including Karthik, went to Mumbai to take part in practice sessions. The other members were given time to regroup, meanwhile.

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