Calcutta: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) tend to find things difficult against Mumbai Indians (MI) irrespective of whether they play at home or away.

They have been going through a tough time, having lost three of their last four matches. But the two-time champions will not change brand of cricket when they face MI at the Eden on Saturday, bowling coach Lakshmipathy Balaji made it clear.

"Look, we expect uncertainty everyday. Such is the format. But we are in a very good space of positivity.

"Our character has been defined in these 13 games we have played so far, no matter how the results have been. We will not change our brand of cricket and will stick to our style.

"We'll do what comes to us naturally," Balaji said on Friday.

From the words of the bowling coach, it's pretty clear that the team is focusing on the positives rather than being engrossed with post-mortem of the recent defeats.

"We have found our ways to manage ourselves into this position right now. We have had hiccups with injuries and players who have performed and missed out.

"The team, I think, has shown character big time. It's not once. We have chased down tricky totals as well as big totals. For instance, in the game against Gujarat Lions (in Rajkot) and the nail-biter versus Delhi (DareDevils)...

"Our bench strength is also strong. You should have all bases covered. It's not only about the XI that takes the field on a regular basis, but also about the entire squad.

"Everyone in our squad have looked forward and when regulars got injured, the reserves have filled their shoes," Balaji elaborated.

He added: "That said, there is always a learning curve for experienced guys as well, so I am sure the guys are looking into it. There is some learning and important things that we need to address, which I'm sure we will cover."

Asked if this was the right time to set the record straight against Mumbai Indians, Balaji replied: "It's not about one individual team. When you play so many teams, you are bound to get one opportunity.

"The past is history and we'll have another opportunity that will erase the past and change the future. It's up to us to decide what plans we are going to make.

"We have been in a very good space and we enjoy each other's company. We have enjoyed the cricket and off the field as well.

"You stay away from your family for six weeks, so it is important to bond well."

Forget not qualifying for play-offs, the former India pacer is so optimistic that he believes Knight Riders can even finish the league stage as table-toppers. "We look at it other way round. We may finish the league phase as No.1 too.

"You normally live with such circumstances and opportunities, because opportunities decide who you are, where you come from and what you are doing," Balaji said.

Bowling is pivotal to the Knight Riders' progress in the competition, as Balaji underlined how the bowlers enjoy each other's successes.

"We have one extreme quick in (Nathan) Coulter-Nile and one left-armer in (Trent) Boult, one mystery spinner and couple of chinaman. So, we have covered almost everything and you cannot ask for many changes in the group."