IPL 2019 | This edition is as important as previous ones, states Dinesh Karthik

Kolkata Knight Riders will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opening clash of the ongoing season of the IPL at the Eden Gardens today and the team will have a target of improving their show from the previous season. The KKR skipper asserted that he will not think much about his chances with the Indian team ahead of the World Cup which will begin after the IPL in England and Wales. The Indian selectors ignored the KKR skipper and went ahead with young Rishabh Pant in the recently-concluded series against the Aussies.

"The most important thing for me is to do well for KKR and the team to do well. I am sure the World Cup will take care of itself for me.”

"It depends on the situation. There are a lot of games last year where I ended up batting in the 17th over. Having experience is good, if I get an opportunity to play more overs that will be a great opportunity for me to showcase my skills," the Kolkata captain explained.

After making it to the playoffs in the last edition, KKR were defeated by Hyderabad, against whom they are going to play the opening encounter of this season. It was an all-round show by young Afghan sensation Rashid Khan that turned the game completely in favour of the 2016 champions last season. Rashid had scored 34 off just 10 balls and had also claimed three wickets with the ball in that game.

"I think having said that, they have a very good bowling attack and it's going to be a very interesting game with two good teams playing against each other."

Speaking about the home venue – Eden Gardens, the wicketkeeper explained, "The soil has changed a bit and that has provided a lot more pace and bounce. That's something we have enjoyed as a team and we have embraced it.”