Kolkata Knight Riders’ chances of making the playoffs in this IPL are slim. Yet, they remain optimistic.
Even if they get just “10 per cent of a chance” to qualify for the playoffs, the Knight Riders would give their all in their final group-phase game against Lucknow Super Giants at Eden Gardens on Saturday, which they need to win by a big margin.
“We lost a few games by close margins this year. We could’ve won those games with a bit of luck. But we still have a chance.
We will try our best, 100 per cent. We’re ready and prepared. I hope we get just 10 per cent of a chance to qualify as this is our only chance. We’ll still try our best to win big and qualify,” opener and wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz told KKR Knight Club on Thursday.
“But yeah, they (Super Giants) are a good team and have good momentum as well. We’ll try our best to make it possible.
“We also want the fans to keep supporting us in every situation. We will give our best and 100 per cent in Saturday’s game to make it possible.”
It won’t be the end of the world for KKR though if they fail to make the playoffs. “Even if we fail to qualify, don’t be disappointed. We keep trying our best, but it’s cricket, after all.
“If not this year, we’ll definitely make it next year,” the Afghanistan batsman stated.
Saturday would be the first time the Knight Riders face the Super Giants in the ongoing edition. The Knights though are working on the visitors’ strengths and weaknesses.
“From the batting perspective, in every game, we see and think about the bowlers in all the teams. We talk to the coaches and bowling coaches about how we can improve our batting against the bowlers and give the team a good start.
“We do know all of their (Lucknow) bowlers and batters, and how we can keep them quiet and beat them. We will try our best to do that and win, ensuring our net run rate improves,” Gurbaz emphasised.
Gurbaz is also ready for his match-up with countrymate Naveen-ul-Haq, who’s one of the main components of the Super Giants bowling attack.
In practice matches, Naveen has got him out several times, but Gurbaz seems confident of getting the better of the pacer on Saturday.
“Naveen is one of the best T20 bowlers of our generation. He’s smart and skilful. Whenever have we faced each other in practice matches, he got me out. But in match time, I’m going to hit him,” Gurbaz said.
“In T10, I had hit him for some boundaries. But this time I hope I hit him for some sixes as he always tells me, ‘I’ll get you out’.”
