The Kolkata Knight Riders are just a step away from playoffs at present. But the need for consistency and making sure they get the basics right is there on the minds of the table-toppers in order to go the distance in this IPL.
“The best thing we can do right now is being consistent, which is tougher than trying to find out something and improve on it,” spinner Varun Chakravarthy said on Friday, the eve of the Knight Riders’ clash against Mumbai Indians at the Eden on Saturday.
“When you're on top of the table, it gives you more responsibility. You have to keep reminding yourselves of the basics and keep doing them right.”
The Knights appeared a relaxed unit on Friday, with their assistant coach Abhishek Nayar having a light-hearted chat with former MI captain Rohit Sharma at the end of the day’s training sessions. However, they are quite aware that only a win against the already-ousted visitors in their final home clash of this season will book them a place in the playoffs.
Chakravarthy's performance this season has been crucial to KKR's fortunes. After a difficult start, he has been quick to turn things around with spells that helped in setting the game up for his team.
"We have worked on our lines and lengths and working on more angles, trying to bowl from different areas of the crease. I've been bowling the same. It's just that the results are coming now... Feel the ball is coming out very well from my hands," Chakravarthy, KKR's highest wicket-taker with 16 scalps, explained.
The team atmosphere, too, has helped the Knights to express themselves better, courtesy the team's principal owner Shah Rukh Khan. "Even after the Punjab Kings game, he (Shah Rukh) came to the dressing room and spoke to every player for an hour.
"He came and hugged everyone and said, 'It's just a match. Cricket is changing, just try to be better in the next match.' This time, I see a massive difference because he has been very understanding and very approachabe as I got to meet him for the first time. That certainly has had a huge impact," Chakravarthy emphasised.
