Poor fielding cause of concern for KKR, says Kallis
Kolkata Knight Riders head coach Jacques Kallis, on Wednesday, said poor fielding was hurting the team badly in the ongoing Indian Premier League.
Kallis attributed KKR's defeat to Mumbai Indians from a winning position in the last match to poor fielding.
"It's surprising. We pride ourselves in our fielding. It is an area we have been pretty good in the last couple of seasons," the former South African all-rounder told reporters on the eve of their match against Kings XI Punjab in Kolkata.
"Hopefully we can turn that around. I think it's much of a mindset. We know that it's an issue. Hopefully we can improve on that. For me, it's such an area that we really want to improve."
With 11 runs to defend in the last over against Mumbai Indians, Surya Kumar Yadav fumbled to concede a boundary before substitute fielder Rishi Dhawan dropped Hardik Pandya, who hit the winning boundary en route to a four-wicket win.
"It's a little setback. Probably we were in control of the game for 36 of the 40 overs. Certainly a game that we thought we lost rather than Mumbai won," Kallis said.
Kallis, however, said dew at the Wankhede Stadium had a role to play in KKR's defeat against Mumbai Indians.
"Having said that conditions got tougher for the bowlers. There was dew. It was tough. They played well in the last four overs. Our guys would have learnt from that," he said.
"I think we will rather learn from it rather than hurting the guys too much, it has happened at the early part of the season. I think lessons were learnt."
The South African hailed his team's bowling attack and said they have variety in their ranks.
"We have a lot of talent in our side where we can mix and match our bowling attack. We have different options for different wickets.
“Obviously the wickets are not going play the same as last season. But we will come up with ideas, the team selection that will revolve around conditions and opposition. But we will stick to our strength," he said.
"It's about getting the right side for the right game. We are fortunate enough to have spinners who can bowl on any conditions. They don't only need conditions to succeed.
"We have got some mystery spinners, some wrist spinners who are tougher to read than orthodox spinners," he added.
Kallis termed Kings XI Punjab a dangerous side, who are coming here on the back of a two-match winning streak.
"They are a dangerous and well-balanced side. We have to be on top of our game to beat them. All sides are evenly- matched," he said.
"Eventually it will boil down to the team who makes the most of the opportunity. Hope we will get back to the winning ways," he signed off.