Mohali: They might have finished the Indian Premier League (IPL) group stage on top of the standings, but Kings XI Punjab are wary of the challenge that lies ahead when they take on Kolkata Knight Riders in Qualifier 1 at the Eden Gardens on Tuesday, said Australian import Shaun Marsh.
“Obviously, we finished top of the ladder. We have had a fantastic season, but I guess that counts for very little now. We have got some big games coming up and it’s going to be a really big challenge in Kolkata. They [KKR] are in terrific form. We will bring our best and we are confident that we can beat any team in the competition,” Marsh said on Sunday after Punjab beat Delhi by seven wickets.
Asked if Chennai Super Kings would have been an easier opponent than KKR, Punjab coach Sanjay Bangar said: “We cannot pick our opponents. Well, obviously, Kolkata will be having an advantage with the crowd support, but it will be interesting to go out and compete against a home team. I think it’s going to be a great challenge, something which we are all looking forward to.”
With many foreign and domestic players in prime form this season, picking the playing XI has been a headache of sorts for the Punjab outfit. Even players like Marsh have had to sit out.
Former India all-rounder Bangar said: “Yeah, it has been harsh on a few players. Somebody like Shaun, who has been our most outstanding player in the last six seasons, hasn’t really got a lot of opportunities, which he deserves. There is left-arm spinner Murali Kartik, who has missed out, we have not been able to give him enough opportunities. Besides there are couple of other players [who haven’t had opportunities].
“The one thing that is of paramount importance to us is the team composition, that’s more important than anything else. We have been very fortunate that the players who missed out have been very supportive and helped in creating a good dressing room atmosphere.”
Asked whether there was a possibility of dropping Mitchell Johnson for a batsman against KKR, Bangar said: “We also have to take the wicket we are playing on into account for the play-offs. We will go and have a look at the wicket in Kolkata and then make a decision on which combination to play.”
Speaking about young Punjab batsman Manan Vohra’s performance — he scored 47 from 38 balls in the successful chase against Delhi — Bangar said: “There was a lot of pressure on him because to have been retained by the franchise puts a lot of pressure on a person who hasn’t really played that much.
“So, in hindsight, giving him that time to really think about it and compete for a place with people like Cheteshwar Pujara and Virender Sehwag really helped in calming his nerves, because otherwise he was experiencing a lot of pressure.”
Meanwhile, Marsh had a word of praise for Bangar, who joined Punjab this season.
“He has been fantastic. On a personal note, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him. His knowledge of the game has been outstanding, for us senior players and the young players as well. He has been a really calm and level-headed coach. He has done a fantastic job this season,” Marsh said.
