Gautam Gambhir has said that the Kolkata Knight Riders are focused on their first match against Chennai Super Kings, slated to take place on September 17 in Hyderabad.
Gambhir led Knight Riders to title triumph in the 2014 Indian Premier League (IPL) but the skipper insisted that they are not thinking about winning the Champions League and taking one game at a time.
“We always take the field thinking that we will win and this time it is no different,” Gambhir said. “Ideally one should not be thinking about the title in the first lap of the competition but such is the subconscious mind that it often takes you to the title leap even before you reach there.”
“That is why I want to focus on the first game against Chennai Super Kings and not go too far.”
The Knight Riders’ captain said that his team will not be out of touch, when they will lock horns with former champions Super Kings in the tournament opener.
“In any case Robin and Manish were playing KPL so I don’t think anyone of the Knights will be rustic,” Gambhir pointed out. “Trust me it is such a mindset game that once you cross the line you are on an auto-mode. Practice or confidence play very little part when a bowler is bowling at 140kmph plus.”
The form of Gambhir has not been pleasant lately as he only made 25 runs in four Test innings during the England tour. Gambhir, however, said that his recent Test woes will not affect his showing in T20s, as it is a different format.
“Time is a big factor,” Gambhir said. “I think the gap between the last Test match in England and first game of the CLT20 will take care of the confidence levels. Besides like I said, T20 is a different format so I don’t think the past will have much bearing on what lies ahead.”
