Form might be favouring the Kings XI Punjab with two wins on the trot but coach Darren Lehmann today said Kolkata Knight Riders would be tough to beat tomorrow since they were playing at home and the last few games they have lost were pretty close.
"We managed to get across the line against KKR the last time at home. But obviously they are a very good side and tough to beat at home," Lehmann said on the eve of the match.
"They probably should have won the last couple of games but fell at the last hurdle. That's the nature of T20 cricket. It's a tough road trip for us. We just have to keep going. We have no advantage. It's them who have got the home advantage."
The coach was not overtly worried with injuries to Jacques Kallis, Manoj Tiwary and Laxmi Ratan Shukla.
"I don't think there would be an edge. There would be an overseas player and a domestic player who would be waiting to take the opportunity. Whoever they play, we just got to beat the XI."
Lehmann further said his deputy W V Raman, who is the Bengal coach, would have a big role to play tomorrow.
"He will tell us what we're doing tomorrow. They have coached here and spent a long time in these conditions. He knows these conditions so well. He is probably more of a coach in this game than what I am," he said.
Lehmann was surprised to see 160 being surpassed by Mumbai Indians at the otherwise slow Eden.
"We saw last night 160 being chased. Probably it was not a 160-wicket. Both sides did not bowl the way they could have. Probably the bowlers who adapt the conditions the best would come out on top tomorrow."
Without boasting any big names, Kings XI Punjab batsmen have been successful as they chased down Pune Warriors 186 and 121 by Delhi Daredevils with ease.
