Calcutta: Wriddhiman Saha doesn't like to dwell on the past. He lives in the present and focuses on the task at hand.

The wicketkeeper-batsman doesn't even want to look back on the 2014 IPL, when they won their first five games. The Kings XI Punjab made the final with Wriddhi contributing an unbeaten 115 off 55 balls. That though wasn't enough as KXIP's total of 199 was overhauled by Knight Riders.

The initial phase was held in the UAE that year because of the general elections.

"In Dubai in the initial three-four matches, we didn't do much of individual planning and won. We played with an open mind. That momentum took us to the final. We are trying to retain the initial momentum," said Wriddhi.

But for him "past is always past."

"Every match is a new one for us here. We will have to forget that we won two matches. Yes, at the back of our mind we will have the confidence that comes from winning two games, but we will have to start afresh" said Wriddhi.

That Virender Sehwag, the team's director of cricket operations, has been telling the players to play freely is also an added advantage, Wriddhi pointed out.

"Look we have already seen (Glenn) Maxwell is an aggressive player. Besides, Sehwag has told us to play freely. So, that is an added advantage and it showed in our past two matches.

"We sealed the ties by the 15-16th over. So overall, it's better for the team," he said.

Wriddhi felt that the unavailability of Chris Lynn, coupled with the absence of the suspended Andre Russell, was an advantage for KXIP going into Thursday's encounter.

"Lynn has played well in the last two matches. Obviously, it will be an advantage for us when he's not playing, as he is a set batsman. Nonetheless, we have to plan for the rest.

"When the opposition is not playing well or has been taken for runs in the previous game, it is always an advantage for us. We would always want to capitalise on those things both in terms of batting and bowling," he said. Wriddhi said that KXIP's batting line-up is flexible. "Our batting line-up is flexible. Anyone can bat at any position depending on the situation.

"If we lose a wicket in the first six overs, maybe I'll come in next. If we don't, may be someone else will then," he said.