'Time to take some pressure off Gauti'

KOLKATA: Kolkata Knight Riders opener Manvinder Bisla has urged his team's misfiring batsmen to get their act together and take some pressure off skipper Gautam Gambhir as the side gears up for a couple of back-to-back away ties.

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"As a batting unit, I think we have created a bit of pressure for Gambhir who has been consistent through out. We have not been able to bat well this tournament "Bisla said after the six-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab last night.

KKR will take on Chennai Super Kings and the Delhi Daredevils in their coming matches.

"If the batsmen get back to their form as the tournament peaks, Gambhir can play freely," said Bisla, who returned to form with an unbeaten 51.

Knight Riders take on the Super Kings in Chennai bringing back the memories of last year's final in which Bisla's career-best 89 helped the team dethrone Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men.

But Bisla said that achievement is a thing of past now. "That was last year. It's a new season, I will see what happens Sunday," Bisla said.

Bisla said the team was not intimidated by any opposition as long as it performs to its potential.

"It's great to be back to winning ways. We lost three matches, so it was important to get the win and take the points tally forward," he said.

"We are not worried about opposition. We have the belief that if we play, we can beat any team, Be it Chennai or Delhi."

Bisla said the side would be back in the top-half once it starts winning.

"There is nothing wrong in the team. If we keep on winning, we will be in the top half. We have the belief to do that."

Having returned to form with a fine half-century, Bisla said: "It feels good to contribute to a win. I worked hard and trained hard after being dropped for two matches."

Bisla said despite being benched he was never frustrated and always felt positive.

"Even a great player like Brendon McCullum is not getting a chance to play. It's just that you wait for your chance and you have to work harder."

Lauding senior batsman Jacques Kallis dedication to the game, Bisla said: "Kallis is a strong sportsman. He got injured in the last match but he still wanted to play and contribute. That's why he's one of the legends of cricket."

He also heaped praise on Eoin Morgan who scored a quickfire 26-ball 42 to seal a comfortable victory with 10 balls to spare.

"He was very good and changed the momentum, he took the pressure of me. It was a match winning innings."

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Shweta Pandey

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