Calcutta: Kolkata Knight Riders bowling coach Lakshmipathy Balaji conceded that it's difficult to plan against the likes of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers.

Speaking on the eve of Knight Riders' crucial IPL X game against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Eden, Balaji said: "Look, it's difficult to plan against them. The situation is more like an army man going to the battlefield, where anything can happen. Plans and strategies may not count...

"So what's important is to look after the things we can control. If we control things that we can, the outcome takes care of its own."

Apart from RCB's strong batting, their spin attack, comprising Samuel Badree and Yuzvendra Chahal, is also good. But the Knight Riders have the skill set to outsmart RCB, Balaji emphasised.

"Twenty20 is all about what you do on that particular day of the match. In most cases, batting decides the outcome, but we do have the skill set and we are playing good cricket as well. We are not worrying too much about the opposition, honestly...

"As I had said, we can only control the things we can and since we've been doing that, we are in the top three in the standings," he said.

Despite bowling being their strength, the Knight Riders couldn't defend a 180-plus total against the Gujarat Lions on Friday. But the bowling coach didn't appear to be worried.

"We have taken nearly 40 wickets (this season). It's about taking wickets. Don't go by runs because as a bowler, your credibility is determined by the number of wickets you take and not by your economy rate. You may bowl a couple of maidens, but wickets are more important for a bowler.

"Look, we have quality bowlers in our ranks, and it's all about adaptation and coming good on the day. You slowly adapt and then take your bowling to the next phase," Balaji elaborated, adding: "Batsmen are aggressive in this format, so as a bowler, the best way to show your aggression is by taking wickets."

The former India pacer, however, agreed that the Knight Riders should have gone on to get at least 200 against the Lions, considering the blazing start they were off to.

"Yes, 200 was on the cards. But they bowled really well at the death. Now, we have to seize the chances in the forthcoming matches and make sure we accelerate after the initial start that has been given," Balaji said.

Asked if the spinners are not getting adequate help from the Eden pitch, Balaji answered: "I don't think the wicket makes a huge difference. It remains the same in most of the centres.

"In the shorter format, you cannot dictate the conditions. Probably, you can just work on your skills and keep filling up the wickets column."