The Kolkata Knight Riders have turned things around for themselves and are in contention for a place in the Pepsi Indian Premier League 2014 Playoffs. Assistant coach Vijay Dahiya, who addressed the press at the Eden Gardens ahead of their match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, sighted self-belief and KKR’s open door policy as couple of reasons why they have been able to do so. With 14 points, they are currently in fourth place as the league nears its business end. Dahiya said, “Self-belief, to be honest, has helped the team. Also the kind of environment that we have in the team is fantastic.” “We had a couple of close games and we knew we are there, if we hold on to couple of key overs – only then we can go across the winning line and that’s what we have decided to do. The kind of environment created by the coaches is fantastic. I think all along, in the last couple of years, we have had a very open door policy. Anyone can come and open up and say what he feels. All suggestions are welcome, whether it is off the field or even on the field. If you look, anyone can go to Gautam Gambhir and express themselves and say if a certain thing can be done at that time; and that is the key. The environment is so good and that’s the reason why we have been able to turn things around.” Speaking about the team’s strong position in the points table with regards to Playoffs qualification, he said, “I think we are playing good cricket, which is very important. When you are playing good cricket, you get the desired result as well. And obviously when you win, the confidence is always high. We would love to continue in the same way.” One of the key factors for the team has also been Robin Uthappa’s form. The wicketkeeper-batsman has been the lynchpin of the team’s line-up, and along with captain Gautam Gambhir, has held the innings together. Speaking about the in-form batsman, who is also in the Purple Cap race, Dahiya said, “There is no doubt that he is playing good cricket. He has been in superb touch. And we always believe it is a team game and there are other people who are contributing as well. But I will say that he is in great touch.” KKR has also been relying on their spinners in most games. When asked whether they will play three spinners against RCB, Dahiya replied, “It depends on a particular day. You look at the opposition and then you make the strategy. We have always looked at what kind of XI we need against different teams, and we will always think about that. If you look, we have played horses for courses; so wherever we have needed an extra spinner, we have gone with that. I cannot tell you right now if we will play three spinners or change the combination.” “We play to our strength. It is not about what the surface is providing. Most of the time, it is about your strength, and spin has been our strength. If you see, this season, our fast bowlers have done fantastically as well,” he added. While explaining the reason behind playing Pat Cummins in place of Morne Morkel in the previous game, Dahiya said, “In this case, we thought we could go with a different sort of bowler. There is a difference between these two guys, and it is important to keep checking your bench strength as well. And Cummins has been bowling well in the nets that’s why we thought it was important to give him a chance.” When asked if they had any specific plans for RCB’s AB de Villiers and Yuvraj Singh, who have been taking apart attacks, Dahiya said that they always have plans for players. However, he explained, “It is about sticking to our plans and that is what we are going to do. You can’t say it is about a special plan for Yuvraj or de Villiers only. They have Virat Kohli in their side as well and then there is Chris Gayle; how can you not count him? So they are a good side and it is important for us to stay focused and keep getting better.” While KKR have been doing well, they have left out experienced campaigner Jacques Kallis from the playing XI on a few occasions. While explaining the veteran all-rounder’s exclusion, Dahiya said, “He is a champion and he is a legend. And I think it is a very difficult call. But credit must be given to Jacques Kallis for that as well. You have a couple of players, captain, vice-captain and support staff sitting together and putting together the playing XI, and he is a part of that. And there have been a couple of occasions where he himself has said that on particular wicket if we go with an extra spinner, it will be better. And he himself has said that the other guy will be more useful for the team, so all credit to Jacques Kallis. He himself has opted out of couple of games saying that this combination will work better for the team.”