News
Sat 17 May 2014, 12:00 am
Summary
Knight Riders coach confident of good show from middle-order batsman
The Knight Riders are back on track in their Pepsi IPL 2014 campaign with three back-to-back wins. One of the biggest positives for the Knight Riders has been Robin Uthappa, who has come out all guns blazing after his promotion to the top of the batting order. “He is looked very good,” KKR coach Trevor Bayliss said. “He plays in a conventional manner; he plays proper cricket shots. He has worked really hard. He is very hard to contain once he gets his eye in and once he gets going.” Staying on the batting front, Bayliss was also glad that skipper Gautam Gambhir had managed to get some vital runs under his belt. “It’s pleasing to see the captain score some runs. He was a bit disappointing earlier in the tournament. But he has batted very well in the last four to five games. Together (with Uthappa) they have put on some really good partnerships in the last four matches. But a point of concern for the Knight Riders has been Yusuf Pathan’s form. The hard-hitting batsman has got just 79 runs in his nine outings so far at an average of just under 16. Pathan scored an unbeaten 20 – including the winning boundary – in the previous game against the Mumbai Indians, which should keep him in good stead according to Bayliss. “He is bit down on confidence like anyone who doesn’t score runs or take wickets. We know what a dangerous player he can be. He got 20 in the last game and struck the ball quite nicely. That gives him confidence, and he can go on from there.” The Knight Riders face the Sunrisers Hyderabad who are coming off two back-to-back defeats in their home ground. But with league standings changing frequently, KKR would look to get those vital two points on the board with an all-important win. “It is obviously a very important game with both teams vying for probably the fourth spot. The Sunrisers have got a good team. They have got a strong batting line-up and very good bowlers. We have to play very well to beat them. Having said that, even they have to play some good cricket to beat us. For the tournament and the fans, hopefully it will be a good game. When asked if KKR had any special plans to restrict SRH, who had amassed more than 200 in their previous game, Bayliss said, “We will sit down and have a look at that tomorrow. I am sure our bowlers have a few thoughts already. We have a reasonably good bowling attack that has bowled well this tournament. It should be a good contest between bat and ball tomorrow.”