Thaindian News

Mumbai, March 23 (IANS) After a promising start in the third edition of Indian Premier League (IPL), Kolkata Knight Riders have again lost their way. With three losses on the trot, captain Sourav Ganguly is in search of an “X-factor” that will bring their campaign back on track.
Knight Riders beat defending champions Deccan Chargers and runners up Royal Challengers Bangalore in their first two matches, but then slumped to defeats against Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.

“We are getting close but we are losing the matches. We have the team but we need an X factor going for us. Hopefully, we can turn it around in the next match,” Ganguly said after Knight Riders lost to Mumbai Indians by seven wickets Monday.

Tendulkar led the Mumbai Indians charge with an unbeaten 71 to surpass the Knight Riders total of 155 with nine balls to spare.

“I thought we were 10 runs short, but it was a fighting total. We started well but took our foot off the accelerator. It was not easy to get the spinners early on that wicket but we gave away too many runs upfront in the first six overs,” Ganguly said.

Ganguly made 31 and took two good catches. His second catch at short-extra cover was a stunner as he jumped in the air and grabbed the ball one-handed to get rid of Saurabh Tiwary.

“It is the requirement of the game (fielding). I am putting a bit of an effort,” Ganguly said.

The Knight Riders skipper said he and Chris Gayle will be opening the batting.

“Gayle and I will keep opening. And Owais (Shah) is a good middle order player,” he said.

Mumbai Indians skipper Tendulkar lauded the bowlers for their performance.

“Bravo, McLaren, Zaheer, Malinga, Harbhajan, all bowled well and were ably supported by the fielders.”

He was all praise for Delhi opener Shikhar Dhawan.

“Shikhar batted well, the first over set the tone. From the other end, I started getting a few boundaries. We managed to put pressure on them early on, and it was then a matter of staying there till the end.”