Lakshmipathy Balaji says KKR will aim to finish as table-toppers

The bowling coach of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Lakhsmipathy Balaji is very confident ahead of their game against table-toppers Mumbai Indians. The current form of KKR is not very sublime. After starting like a Formula 1 car in the tenth edition of the IPL, they have slowed down to the pace of bullock-cart, accumulating just 2 points from their last 4 matches. But the newly-appointed bowling coach is highly positive before the last game.

Kolkata Knight Riders are currently second in the league table (before DD v RPS match). They will go all-out to win the encounter not only to secure their place in the playoffs but also to finish in top 2, that will give them 2 chances to qualify for the final. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, have won 9 out of the 13 matches they have played, and are bossing the league table. They became the first team to qualify for the playoffs, but they will be looking forward to bagging 2 points to ensure the no.1 spot.

Speaking to the media, the former ‘Knight’ said, ” Look at it the other way around. We may get to number one. That’s also possible.  You normally live your life with circumstances and opportunities. I think the opportunity decides who yo are and where you come from and what you’re doing. Everything is decided by the circumstances and the situations. There’s another opportunity to decide where we are heading towards in this tournament.”

KKR’s horrific record against MI

Ask any KKR fanatic which opponent they would want to face, and they will reply “Anyone except Mumbai.” The nemesis of Kolkata, Mumbai Indians have defeated them 14 times out of the 19 encounters between the two classy outfits of IPL. KKR’s head to head record is poorest for them, as no other team has troubled them as much.

But Balaji is confident of a turnaround, as he said, “When you play eight teams there will definitely be one extreme to another. In the past there’s always a new beginning with opportunity. There will be another opportunity which may change the future. That opportunity is up to us decide.”

He said that the camaraderie shared among the players is a key reason for their superb performance over the years. He said, “We have been in a good space within ourselves, enjoying each other’s company, the friendship, the cultural exchanges, all these things are important in a tournament where you are out of house and family for six weeks. It’s important to have a binding team.”

KKR failed to chase down a target of just 168 runs against Kings XI Punjab at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. The target looked easier when Narine and Lynn lashed on to the bowling attack to get 61 runs in the powerplay. But the middle-order collapse has been the reason for their downfall. No one among Yusuf Pathan, Colin de Grandhomme or Suryakumar Yadav is having a good time. Yusuf still played a good inning, while the rest two did not contribute much.

But Balaji sounded positive here as well when he said, “We have defended low totals as well as chased down big totals. This batting unit is one of the most experienced. As far as I know five guys getting more than 220 runs is good enough number to have a batting order with,” he said.

He further added, “I’m sure in rest of the games there will not be big changes in our brand of cricket. We will stick to what we can control and what comes to us naturally. It’s only 120 balls to define. Whatever amount of positivity you do it on field is very important. Every match is a new beginning.”

When asked about their star pacer Nathan Coulter Nile’s availability for the game, he said, “It’s up to medical staff to decide. I will reserve my comments on that,” Balaji said.

A match between the two two-time IPL champions is always a high-voltage one. But the intensity will reach a whole new dimension on Saturday, as fans have paid four times the original price to witness the game, KKR’s celebrity owner Shah Rukh Khan will also be present for the match. The stage is set for a cracker of a game, iup to upto the players now.