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Last Update: May 19, 2023, 21:45 IST
IPL 2023: Kolkata Knight Riders’ home ground Eden Gardens (AP)
Kolkata Knight Riders are on the verge of elimination from the 2023 Indian Premier League after losing four of their seven matches at the Eden Gardens
Kolkata Knight Riders head coach Chandrakant Pandit on Friday said there was nothing wrong with the pitch at Eden Gardens as he took the blame for his failure to capitalize on home advantage in the IPL this season.
After their win against Chennai Super Kings on 14 May, KKR captain Nitish Rana had remarked that every team except his team had done well in the IPL at home. Two-time IPL champions KKR are on the verge of elimination having lost four of their seven matches at the Eden Gardens.
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Rana’s comments had triggered a blame game between KKR and the hosts Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). But Pandit said he never blamed the pitches he got here.
“I think you guys have misunderstood it (Rana’s comments). Home advantage means when we play at home, we would like to win,” said Pandit on the eve of their match against Lucknow Super Giants.
He said, ‘It is not a question of pitches or anything else. I am talking about winning games, and it is unfortunate that despite having the home advantage, we have not been able to win many of the games that we have played here.”
A big win on Saturday may not be enough for KKR as they will have to rely on results from other teams to make it to the playoffs.
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Asked if he was unhappy with the pitches being served to him, Pandit said: “Pitches have changed dramatically over time everywhere.”
“If you go to Wankhede or any other stadium, the pitches have changed or (are) behaving differently. No one can guarantee how they will behave in a particular game. Many teams have not been able to take home advantage in this tournament.
“I have been coaching for so many years, maybe I have seen people, captains, coaches, who want to take those home advantages… still they were not able to win games.
“I gave you a simple answer. We should have taken advantage of the matches played here because we were playing at home. It is a pity that we could not take advantage of the home conditions.”
Another factor in KKR’s poor campaign has been the form of India all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who is suffering from a minor hamstring injury despite playing just 10 matches this season.
Thakur, who is in India’s World Test Championship final squad, has bowled just 19 overs this season and managed five wickets. In some matches, he has played only as a batsman.
“We were not clear on the roles of Shardul. He has done well whenever he has got the opportunity. He played the match-winning innings (78 vs RCB) at this ground. Continuity goes up and down for any player. Roles have been fixed for each player and they are very aware of their roles.
“I have full faith in my team and they are playing as a good unit; It is unfortunate that we could not produce the desired results to directly qualify for the playoffs and win the trophy.
“I am glad the team is good, looking good as a unit. We hope to win tomorrow’s match as well.”
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI,
