Even though KKR haven't had a great run in the first phase of IPL 2021, Dinesh Karthik insisted that the team would focus on the positives and continue to play aggressive cricket.
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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has stated that the franchise will be looking to win six out of the remaining seven matches, to qualify for the IPL 2021 knockouts. KKR did not enjoy a great run in the first phase of the ongoing edition, having won just two out of 7 matches. However, Karthik who is back in action after a successful stint as a commentator in the UK, believes that the Kolkata-based franchise can make amends for the 2020 edition which saw the franchise finishing really close to qualifying for the knockout stage.
KKR finished fifth due to a not-so-healthy net run rate last year, in a significant blow to the hopes of the fans who were eager to see the franchise emerge victorious again.
“Last year when we were in UAE, we missed it (qualifying for playoffs) by a whisker. We won as many matches as the last team had won but still just missed it by a whisker. Two years on the trot, we have been fifth on the table. That’s something that still gnaws at me,” said Karthik as quoted by the Kolkata-based franchise’s official website.
“Overall as a team, I think we are in a decent space. We need to gel together as a group and make a difference this time. We want to win 6 out of 7 matches (to qualify). It’s as simple as that. As a team that’s what we’ll be looking to do. Take one game at a time but try and win 6 out of 7 matches,” he added.
“KKR is known to play very positive and aggressive cricket. I want that to come through in the second half. I still think the team spirit is good. We’re positive and we’ve a coach who’s always infusing positivity into us,” he said, before making a plea to all the KKR fans, “As fans, all I want to say is keep supporting us. We’ll try and play a brand of cricket that’ll make you proud. It did put a smile on your face at various points during the last two IPLs. We’ll try and put a bigger smile this time around,” concluded Karthik.
Opener Shubman Gill who is currently quarantining in the team hotel having recently arrived in the UAE, further expressed his belief that KKR enjoy a fair chance to qualify for the knockouts.
“I think a break was really important. Sometimes such things happen that you don’t expect. I think we are very much in the contention to finish in the Top 4. Whichever team qualifies, you never know what will happen. So, hopefully we will win the remaining matches, make sure we qualify and then we’ll see where we go from there,” said Shubman.
“If we keep doing what we have done in the past years and just enjoy our game, then it’s not possible that we won’t do well or qualify,” he concluded.
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