IPL 2019 | Players are mentally tired after playing five games in nine days, says Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis has explained that Kolkata Knight Riders have played five matches in last nine days and the players are mentally tired because of that. After losing to Chennai Super Kings on Sunday, KKR will take a break till Friday before they meet Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Eden Gardens.Â
After three consecutive defeats – two against CSK and one against Delhi Capitals - the Kolkata team will get a much-needed breather this week before they take on RCB at home. After an away loss against CSK on Tuesday, Kolkata lost to Delhi Capitals and then again to Chennai at the Eden Gardens.
Their coach Jacques Kallis is of the belief that the players are tired mentally after the stressful last nine days where the team had played five games.
"We've played five games in nine days and the guys are pretty tired mentally. It will be good to get away and have a break not playing cricket for a couple of days and then work hard and be ready for Friday," Kallis said at the post-match press conference, reported PTI.
"I think the break has come at a good time for us. Sometimes you can get caught up a little bit too much in it. It's about spending some time with friends and family."
With eight points from as many games, the Knight Riders are placed third on the points table after defending champions CSK and DC. Kallis feels that with six more games remaining in the group stage the team can bounce back and make it to the top four this season as well.
"We got to come back stronger and win at least four from six. One game at a time. The guys are hungry to do well. It's basic mistakes that we are making. Once we eradicate that we will bounce back," the coach explained.
Batting first against the MS Dhoni-led team on Sunday, Kolkata managed to score only 161/8 in 20 overs. In spite of Chris Lynn scoring 82 at the top of the order, the team didn’t do well as there was a rare failure for hard-hitting batsman Andre Russell for the home team.
"I think we controlled the game pretty well for 16 overs and then four overs really poor batting cost us," Kallis said.
"170-175 probably would have been par on this wicket. The luck is obviously going with Chennai at the moment. They are on a roll. We just got to stop making basic mistakes and that's the problem. For 16 overs we played well but
Imran Tahir bowled exceptionally well in the game yesterday which ensured that the Knight Riders don’t get to a good total in the match. The South African leggie ended up with match-winning figures of 4/27. Kallis praised the efforts of compatriot Tahir after yesterday’s match where the 40-year-old was awarded Player of the Match.Â
"He just landed the ball in the right areas. He just keeps it very simple and that's
"I think at times you make wrong choices and he took advantage of that. He's been a fantastic performer in this format for a long time now. Obviously, he has got some good skill and understands his game and how to go about it. That shows your age is just a number," the former South African all-rounder signed off.