Gautam Gambhir-led side will fancy their chances this season
Kolkata Knight Riders' Jacques Kallis (from left), Yusuf Pathan, Piyush Chawla and skipper Gautam Gambhir share a light moment during training at the Uppal stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday (Photo: Deccan Chronicle)
Hyderabad: For a team that has won two Indian Premier League titles and is yet to win silverware in the Champions League Twenty20, Gautam Gambhir fancies Kolkata Knight Riders’ chance this time around. “We are very excited going into the Champions League. We have never won it and would look to win this edition. We have a team that can beat any side in the world,” KKR skipper said.
Gambhir ruled out any pressure on his men going into the tournament as the top team. “There’s no extra pressure on us. We are the defending IPL champions and that says it all. There’s a lot to play for,” he said.
In Champions League a team has only four games to book their play-offs spot and the southpaw is confident that his side will start on the right note. “We need to get off the blocks right from the first match as this tournament is short. In the last IPL as well we did not start well but managed to make the play-offs and won it. But here you don’t get much chances,” Gambhir said.
On Shakib Al Hasan, who will miss this edition of the tournament as the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s ban on NOCs (No Objection Certificate) for overseas leagues is in force till the end of 2015, Gambir said: “With the Champions League being played in India, a spinning all-rounder is something any team would love to have and for us Shakib has done so well. He will be missed by the team.”
The skipper saw the bright side of it however.
“But that opens up the slot for youngsters who have been sitting on the bench. With no Morne Morkel and no Shakib there are two slots up for grabs and hopefully the youngsters make the most of the opportunity given to them,” the Delhiite added. Asked about Chennai Super Kings, KKR’s opening game opponents, Gambhir simply said, “We are ready for them.”
( Source : dc correspondent )
Next Story
