We have set the benchmark, now we need to maintain it: Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir was at his best as a captain in their last game against RCB at the Eden Gardens. Though his side managed to put just 131 runs on the board, their bowlers did a splendid job to send RCB packing for just 49 runs.

In the end, KKR won the game by 82 runs and RCB got the dubious record for the lowest total in the history of the IPL. Kolkata’s overseas pace brigade of Coulter-Nile, Chris Woakes and Colin de Grandhomme took three wickets each as the visitors were bowled out within 60 balls into the second innings.

Gambhir was livid with the batting collapse of his team during the innings break and spoke to his team about fighting it out with the ball. He warned his teammates of not getting a game in future if the intensity dropped during their bowling innings.

“I can understand when you have a bad day with the bat or with the ball. But you can’t have a bad day from the intensity point of view. I think that is what you play for and that is something which is in your hand. So that is what I spoke to them and the team delivered,” Gambhir said to reporters on the eve of their away game.

Speaking about the brilliant performance, Gauti was anything but complacent. Usually a very studious character, the 35-year old said that the challenge is to keep the momentum going. “It’s difficult to set the trend, but it’s more difficult to maintain it,” he said

“We have set the trend of intensity what you want to play with. Now the biggest challenge is how we can maintain it. That was one phase, now it is up to us.

“We have set the benchmark, now we need to maintain it. You know one game it’s easy to do but now people will be expecting us to deliver again. I hope the guys realise that and what I expect from the team and myself as well. It has to start from me,” the southpaw said.

Gambhir-led KKR will now play Rising Pune Supergiant in an away game. The RPS side has made a good comeback by winning three consecutive games, after losing three on the trot earlier. Steve Smith has led them well and the local talent has stood up whenever given with an opportunity.

In their last game, RPS broke the Mumbai Indians 6-game unbeaten streak, defeating them by 3 runs. Ben Stokes’ brilliant penultimate over, where he conceded just seven runs, was ultimately the turning point of the game.

“If everyone is contributing, it’s great for the team. In a T20 format, a team that has everyone chipping in is far better than ones who are dependent on one or two individuals,” Gambhir said.

“If Pune is doing that, it’s great. There is more surety of the team performing than one or two individuals doing it every time,” he added.

The hero of the last match for KKR, who was also the Man of the Match, Nathan Coulter-Nile is rested for this encounter citing injury concerns. He hasn’t played any cricket since June 2016 and came into this tournament with no match practice. Gambhir wants to make sure he is fresh for the bigger challenges that lie ahead.

“Nathan Coulter-Nile is not travelling. We don’t want to take a lot of workload and manage his schedule well. We have given him four days of rest.”

KKR are chasing a record third IPL title this season, which is the biggest motivation for the entire squad.

“It’s the squad that makes me the captain I am. The biggest motivation stays if we can win the IPL third time and be the most successful team. That hunger stays and reflects on my teammates as well,” Gambhir said.