Calcutta: Mike Horn, who challenges himself regularly and is on the road (or on the ocean!) most of the time, spent a few days with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the franchise's opening IPL XI match.

Besides being a leading figure in the world of exploration, Horn is an in-demand professional motivator and has multiple feathers in his cap.

Horn spoke to The Telegraph for a considerable length of time before leaving for Kuala Lumpur, late on Saturday, to honour a commitment with sponsor Mercedes-Benz.

Should KKR feature in the business end of this edition of the IPL, Horn will almost surely be back for more sessions with the franchise.

Excerpts...

Q Well, KKR have a new captain in Dinesh Karthik, who hasn't led an IPL team before... Huge challenge for him?

A While this is DK's first year at KKR, I've worked with him when he was with the Mumbai Indians (MI). We became good friends and I like his attitude... DK played for as many as five IPL franchises before coming to KKR, which may lead some to say he's not consistent at any one franchise. However, I have a different take, which is DK has gained a wealth of experience by playing in different colours. DK has, over the years, gained knowledge which few could be possessing. He's been a part of different environments and that advantage will come in handy at KKR, as the franchise has quite a few youngsters... (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni has been with the Chennai Super Kings in every year of their existence... Virat Kohli has never left the Royal Challengers Bangalore... Rohit Sharma has been with MI for ages. That DK has played for so many in the IPL isn't a minus for me.

Q To talk of the players... KKR do not have a superstar with a capital S...

A The German football team proved in 2014 that you don't need a superstar to win the World Cup... Nobody should attempt to write off KKR because there's no superstar with a capital S.

Q What has made you so gung-ho about KKR's chances in this edition of the IPL?

A The commitment and the intensity I've seen. In my book, KKR are right up there with the best.

Q You've worked with KKR in the past as well, particularly in 2014, when KKR last won the IPL. What is this franchise's USP?

A The freedom given to the players... At KKR, you don't play in a stressful environment, which is very heartening. I'm delighted that KKR have invested in quite a few youngsters, like Shubman Gill... They've been picked on merit and, believe me, are ready to be the next Sachin Tendulkars and Kohlis. They don't need two seasons to get into the act, rather they require two matches... One of my most amazing sessions this time was exclusively with the youngsters... I requested (head coach) Jacques Kallis to stay away and asked them as to how they saw their role and where they'd like to go in terms of performance... I asked what they intended doing with this opportunity at KKR... Once one knows what a player can give, then one knows exactly what to expect... I told them that they can be inspiring to the seniors as well... Once X or Y has been picked on merit, he's bound to be competitive.

Q What did you find most revealing in that session?

A Perhaps, that some talked about their weaknesses... My response was to tell them how KKR would make them stronger... I said 'let's close the gap between your strengths and weaknesses'. Idea being that they become less weak, if not stronger. The seniors, of course, are aware of their weaknesses and can handle failures better.

Q You have this quality of quickly making people comfortable... Kallis appears to be very reserved... How is he as the head coach?

A Jacques is doing the job perfectly... Given his stature, it's easy for me to use him as a shining example... As a batsman, Jacques was never intimidated by pressure, never looked at the scoreboard, I think... He always had that time to play his game and that wonderful calmness. Whatever the situation, Jacques played the same way and became a huge worry for the opposition. They worried because they couldn't get past him... As the head coach, Jacques has given his players freedom, encouraged creativity.

Q As a top-bracket motivator, you worked with Team India very briefly in 2010 and, then, in a bigger way during the 2011 World Cup... Your views on Virat's career?

A Technically, Virat is above normal and that gives him a lot of self-confidence. He has put that to intelligent use in building his career. Just look at the way Virat puts hundreds (21 in Tests, 35 in ODIs) on the board, keeps performing... Also, Virat is supremely fit and you can present him as an example of a truly fit sportsman... Generally, his intensity is to be admired.

Q The final one... How do you see Virat's progress as India's captain across the three formats?

A Virat's advantage is that he was Dhoni's deputy and, now, still has the benefit of the latter's experience... I recall what my father (also Mike, by the way), a top-notch rugby player, told me when I wanted to emulate him. He said: 'This is my world, but you are bigger'... I believed my father when he made that 'you are bigger' comment. Virat, in a way, understood that too in the context of Dhoni. He's big.