KKR Gets Big Boost Before MI Clash, Pandit Ponders Over Pitch Fiasco. (IPL)
Kolkata Knight Riders head coach Chandrakant Pandit on Sunday stated that any team would be pleased to have a greater say in the nature of pitches at home venues, and said that the Knights also "expect something to be provided” at Eden Gardens.
“As a coach, as a team management, we always… whatever the surface has been provided to us, we play. The control, of course, that will be under curator,” Pandit told the media.
“At this moment, my focus is definitely going to be in the next game tomorrow which we are playing,” he said ahead of the clash against Mumbai Indians here.
“I am definitely not thinking on what has to be done, what is in whose control. But, let us focus on tomorrow's game which is very crucial for us.
“I don't know what is the system in different states or different grounds where the control is over the franchise. But, at the moment, what I understand is the surface which is given to us, probably, of course, as a team management, as a coach, as a captain, we expect something to be provided. That's all,” he said.
When asked if IPL teams in general should receive more favorable pitches at their home venues, Pandit replied, “Who will not be happy about that? I mean, this is a simple answer."
Big Boost For KKR
Pandit also confirmed that veteran all-rounder Sunil Narine has recovered from illness and will be available for the clash against Mumbai Indians.
“Sunil is 100 per cent fit. He has definitely recovered well and he has been practicing since yesterday. Today, he is practicing as well. So, he is absolutely fine at the moment,” he said.
With Mumbai Indians losing both their contests so far in the IPL, Pandit said his side would want to put further pressure on the hosts.
“More than anything else, I would definitely think about the way our team has played the last game. Mumbai Indians have not been doing that (winning) so that is another advantage that we can put a pressure on them.
“But the game is being played in Mumbai and we have to adapt immediately to the conditions here and that is what we have been planning, (hopefully) we would be able to do that,” he said.
(With Agency Inputs)
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