Narine still dangerous, says Gauti
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Gautam Gambhir sounded confident ahead of their match against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in Pune, on Saturday.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event in the city, where he announced his support for the Indian ice hockey team, Gambhir said that he hoped to continue their unbeaten run against KXIP.
In the last edition of the IPL, KKR defeated KXIP thrice — twice during the league stage and then in the final.
“Last year we had stopped them thrice, hope this time too we will win. But we will think about our opposition when we reach Pune,” he said.
KKR lost the last match at home against Royal Challengers Bangalore, thanks largely to a 56-ball 96 by Chris Gayle. But Gambhir was not ready to read too much into that defeat. “It’s a long tournament. We did not play well in that match. We have been the most consistent side in the last two-three years. There will be ups and downs. We have won one and lost one. I don’t think it’s a bad start.”
On Sunil Narine, who is yet to strike form after coming back with corrected action, Gambhir said: “He is still a pretty dangerous guy. Here (at the Eden) the wicket was pretty flat. But in the entire tournament I am sure he will be a very successful bowler.”
He refused to compare rookie KC Cariappa with Narine. “Narine is a class act and you cannot compare him to Cariappa. Let him settle down and he will do well,” Gambhir said.
Gambhir added that all-rounder Shakib-al Hasan, who has returned to Bangladesh to play the series against Pakistan, will be missed.
KKR will leave for Pune on Wednesday evening. On Tuesday there was an optional training session at the Eden where all the players took part.
Gautam on Tuesday, handed over a cheque of Rs 4 lakh to the Ice Hockey Association of India, on behalf of his foundation, to help them participate in the Ice Hockey Challenge Cup of Asia Division I, in Kuwait from April 18-24.
Ice hockey team captain Tsewang Gyaltson was present on the occasion.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event in the city, where he announced his support for the Indian ice hockey team, Gambhir said that he hoped to continue their unbeaten run against KXIP.
In the last edition of the IPL, KKR defeated KXIP thrice — twice during the league stage and then in the final.
“Last year we had stopped them thrice, hope this time too we will win. But we will think about our opposition when we reach Pune,” he said.
KKR lost the last match at home against Royal Challengers Bangalore, thanks largely to a 56-ball 96 by Chris Gayle. But Gambhir was not ready to read too much into that defeat. “It’s a long tournament. We did not play well in that match. We have been the most consistent side in the last two-three years. There will be ups and downs. We have won one and lost one. I don’t think it’s a bad start.”
On Sunil Narine, who is yet to strike form after coming back with corrected action, Gambhir said: “He is still a pretty dangerous guy. Here (at the Eden) the wicket was pretty flat. But in the entire tournament I am sure he will be a very successful bowler.”
He refused to compare rookie KC Cariappa with Narine. “Narine is a class act and you cannot compare him to Cariappa. Let him settle down and he will do well,” Gambhir said.
Gambhir added that all-rounder Shakib-al Hasan, who has returned to Bangladesh to play the series against Pakistan, will be missed.
KKR will leave for Pune on Wednesday evening. On Tuesday there was an optional training session at the Eden where all the players took part.
Gautam on Tuesday, handed over a cheque of Rs 4 lakh to the Ice Hockey Association of India, on behalf of his foundation, to help them participate in the Ice Hockey Challenge Cup of Asia Division I, in Kuwait from April 18-24.
Ice hockey team captain Tsewang Gyaltson was present on the occasion.