Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will resume their Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) campaign against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on September 20 at Abu Dhabi.
The team had a poor first half where they managed to win only two out of seven matches. The performance resulted in them languishing at the seventh spot on the points table.
KKR captain Eoin Morgan has said that his team has now become a dangerous one as they have nothing to lose and added that they control their own fortunes going ahead.
"We need to just look at it in one way — we absolutely control everything from here, there is no looking behind. We need to find a way of getting results and everyone in the team, fans know that that can make for very exciting watching because it makes us a very dangerous side with nothing to lose,” Morgan said during a virtual press conference ahead of their match against RCB.
Morgan hoped that the five-month-long break would turn his team’s fortunes around.
"I'm delighted that we are back. Given the position, we found ourselves at the beginning of the tournament and the result not going our way, a little bit of a break would have hopefully helped us. We have certainly re-grouped here in Abu Dhabi, the guys are looking very hungry and fit, determined to make things right,” he said.
KKR signed veteran New Zealand pacer Tim Southee to replace Pat Cummins in the second leg of the IPL 2021.
"Tim Southee is fine international cricketer who has been there for a very very long time, huge amount of experience and he has also played in the IPL. He has fitted in nicely and will hopefully contribute to the squad going forward,” Morgan said.
KKR missed a spot in the playoffs twice in the previous two years owing to a poor net run rate. The team’s captain, however, feels that conditions in UAE suit his team.
"We fell short of qualifying for the playoffs last time, I felt that we were playing some really good cricket and peaking at the right time, small margins hurt us, not going ahead on net run rate but we feel pretty much at home here in Abu Dhabi. The conditions here suit us and we are also going to have fans around as well,” he said.
Morgan also talked about the team’s youngsters including Shubman Gill and said, "They have played a lot and are developing really well. They always look in great form and look good on the eye, hopefully, they can get back into the rhythm of things.”
(With PTI inputs)
