Normally, runs bring confidence, form brings confidence and now it’s time to be honest. The batters don’t have confidence at the moment, but the guys are preparing and practising, says Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Dwayne Bravo
HYDERABAD: Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Dwayne Bravo said that as a team KKR didn’t bat properly and there was a need to keep the players mentally focussed.
“IPL is that kind of tournament where when you don’t start well, batsmen go into a period where they’ve lost confidence. That’s what’s happening at the moment,” he said after KKR lost to Gujarat Giants.
“But again, our batters are low on confidence. Normally, runs bring confidence, form brings confidence and now it’s time to be honest. The batters don’t have confidence at the moment, but the guys are preparing and practising. They are not sitting back and missing practice. We cannot fault their effort, it’s just not working out at the moment,” he explained.
“When Russell walks in to bat every time, the run rate is at 14-15. The work needs to be done at the top so that he has a chance to finish the game like he’s accustomed to at KKR. We just need to bat better so he can finish games,” he said.
“When you are chasing a big target, you expect a good start with your opening batter; that’s what we are looking to get better as a batting unit,” Bravo said. “No complaints with our bowlers, I thought the bowlers are doing a really good job. Game by game, they are improving a lot,” he said.
“We tried to create a left-right combination; we are a team that is blessed with quality left- and right-handers in our top order. So we tried to use that to the best of our ability, especially against a team of quality spinners. Unfortunately, Angkrish had to keep slipping down the order,” Bravo said. However, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane backed his team to come good in the next few games.
“This format is always about being brave, whatever has happened in the past, you cannot think too much about it. You need to learn from your mistakes,” he said.
