Kings XI Punjab head coach Sanjay Bangar said past records are of little significance in the knock-out stage and the team that is able to combine the most of positives would find success.
“Past records do not really hold or indicate anything in this format of the game. The teams making it to the play-offs have played good cricket and a team playing well on a given day will have the edge,” said Bangar, discounting the nine-wicket loss his team suffered against KKR in Cuttack.
“Each team comes out with its own strategies. We will try to negate the positives and limit the strength of our opponent to make a match out of it.”
With frequent spells of rains happening in the day, the visitor was robbed of a chance of practising at the venue ahead of the crucial match on Tuesday.
Given the raucous support KKR will have in the giant stadium, Bangar said it will also serve as an inspiration KXIP.
“The Eden Gardens has produced some great cricket because of the big crowds and sporting atmosphere. It is both a challenge and encouragement for the sides playing there,” Bangar said.
Bangar said the young Indian bowlers have shouldered the responsibility well to lend a good balance to his side.
“The team went through an entire reshuffle and like every other team it was thought out well. We looked to have impact players in the batting department though we felt the bowling department fell a bit short on balance. But the young Indian bowlers have come up and delivered quite well,” Bangar said.
“The way KKR started, they exactly were not the team to finish at No. 2 position. They have played excellently to be there and so has Mumbai Indians. In fact, all the teams who are playing the knock-outs have done well enough to be there,” Bangar said.
