Once we play to full potential, we will be tough to beat: Jacques Kallis

Former South Africa all-rounder and current KKR coach Jacques Kallis was of the opinion that his side hasn’t yet played to their full potential. They have already won 4 out of 6 games this year but lost their last game to Gujarat Lions on Friday night.

KKR was off to a flying start with make-shift opener Sunil Narine crushing the new ball bowlers. The West Indian hit a slap happy 17-ball 42, with all of his runs coming in boundaries. His departure helped Gujarat claw back into the game, but it was their bowling performance at the death which really stood out. KKR managed to score 78 runs in the last 9 overs, a score which they have achieved in the last five overs regularly.

Kallis said that the odd loss will occur before they start firing on all cylinders. “We will get the odd loss here and there which we accept. But up until this point, we haven’t yet put a full game together and when we start doing that we will be a tough side to beat.”

He rued not getting to 200 despite getting off to a great start but duly paid credit to the Gujarat bowlers who bowled well, especially at the death.

“Yes, we would have liked to get 200, especially after the start we had. But I must say that they bowled well, especially in the last five overs. They got the yorkers in good and it was difficult for us to get the boundaries. So yes, it was disappointing that we fell 10-15 runs short,” said Kallis.

Knowing KKR’s bowling strength, they still were more than capable of defending the total but all hopes of a win were floored as Aaron Finch brought his A game to the park. He thwarted Sunil Narine and Shakib Al Hasan – both bowling with the new ball – to set the ideal platform for the chase.

“They batted really well under pressure but I still feel we could have defended better the score. It was certainly not one of our best bowling performances,” Kallis added.

Asked if giving a target while batting first is a problem for the Knights, Kallis said, “It just seems to be a trend that sides chasing tend to win more. So I don’t think that’s an issue. We need to up our standards in all the departments, that`s how we see it.”

When Finch fell, to Coulter-Nile, Raina took it upon himself to take his side closer to the win. Brendon McCullum gave him good company, helping himself to a finely constructed 33. In the end, Gujarat got home easily with 10 balls to spare and 4 wickets in hand.

KKR will be hurt as they lost their first game at home this season. They have a proud record to boast of at the Eden Gardens and will look to set the record straight in their home game against RCB on Sunday night.